The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, signed on Friday the law HB 905, called the Foreign Interference Restriction 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 from the Cuban-American community.
What does the law HB 905 establish?
The legislation, which will take effect on July 1, affects seven countries designated as "of concern": Cuba, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and Syria.
His main provisions include the prohibition for public officials and 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 contracts when either party 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 unforeseen consequences for parents seeking to adopt children from abroad.
Furthermore, the funds for basic education vouchers (K-12) may not be allocated to schools affiliated with terrorist organizations, and the Florida-Cuba Linkage Institute and the "sister cities" agreements with countries of concern are hereby repealed.
A direct message to Havana
DeSantis did not hold back during the event held at the Museum of Brigade 2506.
"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 emphatically stated that “what is needed is the end of the regime, not just rearranging the chairs on the Titanic”; and added that “one cannot do business with criminals”.
The leader emphasized the island's potential if it regained its freedom.
“If Cuba were free, it would be an incredibly successful country,” he noted.
And he recalled the geographical proximity as a political argument: "Florida needs a good neighbor," he said, referring to Cuba, which is 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 diplomatic status of the island.
The suspension cannot be renewed without the explicit approval of the state Legislature, which makes Florida the most prepared state to respond swiftly to a potential regime change in Havana.
A context of maximum coordinated pressure
The signing of HB 905 comes amidst a week of unprecedented pressure against the Cuban regime.
On May 1st, Trump signed an executive order that blocks all assets of individuals connected to the regime in strategic sectors such as energy, defense, metals, and finance.
In addition, this Thursday, Marco Rubio announced specific sanctions against GAESA - the military conglomerate that controls nearly 40% of the Cuban economy - and Moa Nickel, allowing foreign companies until June 5 to cease operations with GAESA.
The project's sponsor, representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, a Republican from Fort Myers, summed up the spirit of the law.
"The FIRE Law sends them the message that we are watchful and that they should think twice before setting their sights on our great state."
Rubio, for his part, was clear about the extent of federal pressure: the sanctions will continue “until the regime implements all the necessary political and economic reforms.”
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