President Joe Biden Has promised to take “consistent action” against Cuba in response to its government’s suppression of protesters.
Biden made the above comments when meeting with Cuban-American leaders at the White House on Friday afternoon. Since July 11, thousands of Cubans have protested to the government over food shortages and the worst economic crisis the country has experienced in 30 years.
Specifically, Biden mentioned the recent US sanctions against Cuban police and military forces believed to have participated in the disappearance of local protesters. He also mentioned, U.S. plans to help restore internet access There are reports that the Cuban government has shut down citizens from entering the island.
Among those present in Biden’s speech on Friday was New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, whose parents are Cubans.
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Biden’s full comment is as follows:
I am honored to welcome members of the Cuban-American community and Senator Menendez to express how the United States will continue to stand with the Cuban people who have suffered for decades due to the failure of the communist regime.
Earlier this month, Cubans took to the streets to historically demonstrate the will of the Cuban people. The regime responded with violence and repression, mass detentions and false trials. The speaker disappeared, just disappeared.
Someone told me that my family cannot and do not know where their family members return to Cuba. This is a flagrant violation of the rights of the Cuban people. Cuban-Americans are being hurt. They are hurt because the one they love is suffering, which, frankly, is unbearable.
So I want Cuban-Americans to know that everyone around us at this table, including myself, has seen your pain. We heard your voice, we heard the call for freedom from the island.
The United States is taking concerted action to support the cause of the Cuban people. We use our diplomatic power to unite all countries to speak out, increase the pressure on the regime, and we are holding the regime to its responsibilities.
Last week, we sanctioned the head of the Cuban Armed Forces and a government entity called “Black Berets” because of their involvement in suppressing protesters.And today, we are increasing the sanctions against revolutionary national organizations Policemen And personal sanctions on the director and deputy director. We will continue to impose sanctions on individuals who abuse the power of the regime.
At the same time, we increase direct support for the Cuban people by seeking to provide various available options for Internet access to help the Cuban people bypass the mandatory censorship system. When a country does not allow its people to use the Internet and can promote their cases worldwide, you always know that things are not going well.
We are expanding our assistance to political prisoners and dissidents. I have instructed the State Department and the Ministry of Finance to provide me with advice within one month on how to provide the Cuban people with remittances as much as possible without letting the Cuban military cut funds.
We are working hard to increase the American staff of our embassy, while prioritizing the safety of our personnel. We have a lot to discuss with this group. I mainly came to listen. I want to know what their thoughts are. You are the best expert on this issue.
The first person who caught my attention and made sure we were in the lead was Senator Menendez. We believe that Cuban Americans are actually the best ambassadors for the Cuban people. Therefore, my government will ensure that their voices are included and promoted at every step. We will start to do business. Thank you all for coming in.
