The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, signed on Friday the law HB 905, known as the Foreign Interference Restrictions and Enforcement Act (FIRE), which establishes new restrictions on agreements and contracts with countries deemed threats to national security, including Cuba.
The ceremony took place at the newly inaugurated Bay of Pigs Museum and Library in Little Havana, Miami, in the presence of veterans from Brigade 2506, state legislators, and leaders of the Cuban-American community.
What does the law HB 905 establish?
The legislation, which will take effect on July 1, impacts seven countries designated as "of concern": Cuba, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and Syria.
Their main provisions include the prohibition for officials and public employees to accept gifts or benefits from those governments, and the authorization for local governments to revoke business licenses from companies operating in Cuba in violation of federal laws.
The law also prohibits adoptions and surrogacy agreements when one of the parties is a citizen or resident of a country on the list.
This provision, added at an advanced stage of the legislative process, generated criticism from Democrats, who warned of potential unintended consequences for parents trying to adopt children from abroad.
In addition, funds for basic education (K-12) may not be allocated to schools affiliated with terrorist organizations, and the Florida-Cuba Linkage Institute and the "sister city" agreements with countries of concern are hereby repealed.
A direct message to Havana
DeSantis did not hold back in his remarks during the event held at the Museum of the 2506 Brigade.
"It is time for the Cuban communist dictatorship to be sent to the dustbin of history once and for all," declared the governor.
He also made it clear by stating that “what is needed is the end of the regime, not just rearranging the chairs on the Titanic”; and added that “you cannot do business with criminals”.
The leader highlighted the island's potential if it were to regain its freedom.
“If Cuba were free, it would be an incredibly successful country,” he pointed out.
And he recalled the geographic proximity as a political argument: "Florida needs a good neighbor," he said, referring to Cuba, located 90 miles from the Florida coast.
The "Cuba Libre" Clause: Florida Prepares for the Day After
One of the most unique elements of the law is the section titled "Support for a Free and Independent Cuba".
This provision authorizes the governor to issue a temporary executive order that suspends certain state restrictions and facilitates commercial interactions with Cuba if the federal government modifies the island's diplomatic status.
The suspension cannot be renewed without the explicit approval of the state legislature, which makes Florida the state best prepared to respond quickly to a possible regime change in Havana.
A context of maximum coordinated pressure
The signing of HB 905 occurs within a week of unprecedented pressure against the Cuban regime.
On May 1st Trump signed an executive order that blocks all assets of individuals linked to the regime in strategic sectors such as energy, defense, metals, and finance.
Additionally, this Thursday Marco Rubio announced specific sanctions against GAESA - the military conglomerate that controls about 40% of the Cuban economy - and Moa Nickel, giving foreign companies until June 5 to cease operations with GAESA.
The project sponsor, representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, a Republican from Fort Myers, summarized the spirit of the law.
"The FIRE Law sends them the message that we are vigilant and that they should think twice before targeting our great state."
Rubio, for his part, was clear about the extent of federal pressure: sanctions will continue “until the regime adopts all necessary political and economic reforms.”
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