ICYMI: Sen. Cruz Op-Ed in Miami Herald: 'U.S. Must Stand with the Opponents of the Castros' Ongoing Tyranny'
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Sunday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) penned an op-ed for Miami Herald, outlining the grim state of affairs in Cuba and the Obama administration’s misguided rapprochement with Castro’s Communist dictatorship that is putting America at risk. Sen. Cruz has called for Congress to unite in opposition to normalizing relations with the oppressive regime, specifically by opposing any nominees to be ambassador to Cuba and opposing funding for U.S. embassy construction in Havana until Cuba addresses basic human-rights issues.
Following are excerpts of Sen. Cruz’s op-ed:
“I had the honor recently to meet with Cuban dissident Oscar Biscet, who was visiting the United States to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom that President George W. Bush had awarded him in 2007. Then serving a 25-year prison sentence for promoting human rights in Cuba, Dr. Biscet originally had to accept the award in absentia. But following his 2011 release, he was here in person.
“I asked Dr. Biscet if his ability to leave the island was emblematic of political liberalization after normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States just over a year ago. Smiling, this man who has endured savage torture by Raúl and Fidel Castro’s police state said No. There was no liberalization. The Castros were just trying to appear reasonable so they could get the most money possible out of tourists coming to the island.
“Didn’t Americans understand, he asked in genuine amazement, that their dollars were going to enrich the Communist regime? The answer is, once again, No. American tourists and industries are tripping over themselves to visit Cuba and project themselves onto a 1950s movie set, all while imagining their commerce trickles down to the Cuban people.
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“The fact is that a bad situation is getting worse, not better. The Obama administration encourages a dangerous delusion about conditions in Cuba, which perpetuates the status quo… We must face this reality. By ignoring it we not only are turning our backs on a brave man, the Obama administration’s increased coordination with the Cuban regime also places the United States at risk.
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“When Congress returns in September, I hope my colleagues will join me in insisting on proper oversight of the dangers posed by the Obama administration’s misguided rapprochement with the Castros. Congress can present a united front in opposing any nominees to be ambassador to Cuba and any funding for embassy construction in Havana until Cuba addresses basic human-rights issues…”
Read Sen. Cruz’s op-ed in its entirety here.
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