The Republican senator from Florida Rick Scott posted a video on his X account this Saturday, honoring Tony Costa, a Cuban-American businessman and president of the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba, as part of the celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States.
In the post, Scott describes Costa as someone who came to America from "communist Cuba" in search of the freedom and opportunities that his family could no longer find on the island, and who managed to build a new life in Florida achieving the "American dream."
Costa himself speaks in the video to thank the country that welcomed them: "I am here to thank the United States for giving us refuge from the communism that took over our country," he states, before introducing himself as the president of the organization he leads, dedicated to "bringing democracy and prosperity to Cuba and to all the countries that may be under communist control in Latin America."
Scott emphasizes that Costa "has been a strong voice for freedom and democracy, not only for the Cuban people but for those fighting against oppression throughout Latin America, including Venezuela and Nicaragua," and concludes that stories like hers are "a powerful reminder of why we must never take our freedoms for granted."
The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC), presided over by Costa, was founded in 1992 and is based in Coral Gables, Florida. Its mission is to strengthen Cuban civil society and promote a non-violent transition to democracy.
In the video, Costa explains that the organization also works with Cubans on the island "to try to alleviate some of the problems they are facing and the shortages they are suffering from."
The FHRC has gained visibility in recent years for its work documenting alleged repressors of the Cuban regime who have entered U.S. territory. According to updated data, the number of identified repressors exceeds 1,100 cases since 2017, of which more than 130 are reported to have arrived in American soil.
Before taking on the presidency of the FHRC, Costa was the director of the Cuban American National Foundation (FNCA), one of the most influential organizations in the Cuban exile community, founded in 1981 by Jorge Mas Canosa.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15 in the United States. Scott was a co-sponsor of the Senate resolution that officially recognized the celebration for 2026, which was unanimously approved on September 22.
The senator from Florida is one of the most active legislators in the cause of the Cuban exile. In April of this year, he participated in the event "United for Cuba" in Miami, where he called for the imprisonment of Miguel Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro.
A few days ago, he reiterated his stance with a phrase that sums up his view: "If socialism worked, everyone would want to move to Havana."
Costa concluded his remarks with a direct acknowledgment to the legislator: "We want to especially thank Senator Scott for always being there when we need help from the United States. We are glad to call him our friend."
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