Gov. Scott Releases Plan to Fight for Human Rights, Freedom and Democracy in Cuba

HIALEAH, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott joined members of Florida’s Cuban community to announce his proposals for promoting freedom and democracy in Cuba as a member of the U.S. Senate. Governor Scott’s plan is focused on securing a stronger and more vibrant Latin America – with the understanding that ending the Cuban dictatorship will lead to greater stability and freedom for the entire region. Under Governor Scott’s leadership, Florida has stood in direct opposition to the Castro dictatorship and its influence in Latin America in support of those who are fighting for human rights, freedom and democracy.

Governor Rick Scott said, “As Americans, we understand the value and importance of freedom and liberty in our everyday lives, and it is our duty to support those who are oppressed by dictators and denied the right to live their lives freely. In Florida, we have stood against dictators like Castro and Maduro, and it is my hope that other states follow the actions we have taken. That is why I am proud to announce my plan to fight for human rights, freedom and democracy in Cuba and Latin America as a member of the U.S. Senate.

“There is little doubt that where we see instability, chaos and violence in Latin America, we also see the fingerprints of the Castro regime. We know that until Cuba is on a path toward democracy, countries like Venezuela and Nicaragua will remain on a path toward totalitarianism. That is something we can no longer accept. I look forward to continuing to work here in Florida and in Washington to help begin a new day of freedom and democracy for Cuba and its people.

Governor Scott will fight in Washington for individual freedom and economic prosperity for the Cuban people by working to implement the following measures:

Deny the Cuban Military all possible access to financial resources. Unfortunately, President Trump’s Cuba policy has not been adequately implemented and many Cuban military entities were not included in the initial list released by the State Department. As U.S. Senator, Governor Scott will work to make certain that every single Cuban military entity is included and denied all possible revenue.

Unfortunately, President Trump’s Cuba policy has not been adequately implemented and many Cuban military entities were not included in the initial list released by the State Department. As U.S. Senator, Governor Scott will work to make certain that every single Cuban military entity is included and denied all possible revenue. Bring Raul Castro to justice for the death of American citizens and crimes against humanity. It is well documented that Raul Castro ordered the shoot-down of the Brothers to the Rescue aircrafts twenty years ago, which killed three U.S. citizens and a legal resident of the United States. Governor Scott will fight to declassify all material related to this tragedy and urge the Justice Department to initiate a thorough review for an indictment against Raul Castro for the murder of American citizens. Governor Scott also believes that the U.S. should take the lead on the creation of an International Criminal Tribunal for Cuba for crimes against humanity and work to hold the Castro regime accountable for the horrific crimes against humanity.

It is well documented that Raul Castro ordered the shoot-down of the Brothers to the Rescue aircrafts twenty years ago, which killed three U.S. citizens and a legal resident of the United States. Governor Scott will fight to declassify all material related to this tragedy and urge the Justice Department to initiate a thorough review for an indictment against Raul Castro for the murder of American citizens. Governor Scott also believes that the U.S. should take the lead on the creation of an International Criminal Tribunal for Cuba for crimes against humanity and work to hold the Castro regime accountable for the horrific crimes against humanity. Fully implement both Title III and Title IV of the 1996 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act , which would allow all American citizens to sue companies and their subsidiaries for trafficking in stolen properties and deny foreign nationals involved in the trafficking of stolen properties in Cuba entry to the U.S. This is the only way that the international community will truly understand that the U.S. is serious about its commitment to democracy in Cuba, and Governor Scott will not rest until the Trump administration implements both of these measures.

, which would allow all American citizens to sue companies and their subsidiaries for trafficking in stolen properties and deny foreign nationals involved in the trafficking of stolen properties in Cuba entry to the U.S. This is the only way that the international community will truly understand that the U.S. is serious about its commitment to democracy in Cuba, and Governor Scott will not rest until the Trump administration implements both of these measures. Deny entry to the U.S. to anyone involved in an act of repression in Cuba and establish a database of those involved in human rights violations. Governor Scott will work to ensure the State Department revises its Visa Program so those involved in acts of repression cannot enter the U.S. Governor Scott will also work with the Department of Homeland Security to revoke all visas or residency status to any person who provided false information to gain entry to the U.S. and was involved in acts of repression in Cuba, and swiftly deport those criminals to Cuba. Additionally, Governor Scott believes that the Castro dictatorship’s abuse of the non-immigrant visa program must be stopped and that agents of the Cuban government should no longer be granted visas under the cover of “cultural or academic exchange.”

Governor Scott will work to ensure the State Department revises its Visa Program so those involved in acts of repression cannot enter the U.S. Governor Scott will also work with the Department of Homeland Security to revoke all visas or residency status to any person who provided false information to gain entry to the U.S. and was involved in acts of repression in Cuba, and swiftly deport those criminals to Cuba. Additionally, Governor Scott believes that the Castro dictatorship’s abuse of the non-immigrant visa program must be stopped and that agents of the Cuban government should no longer be granted visas under the cover of “cultural or academic exchange.” Provide the Cuban people uncensored and unrestricted internet access. Cuba today is one of the least connected countries in the Americas. Governor Scott will fight to ensure tech companies working with Cuba are working in the interest of the Cuban people, and not aiding the regime in perpetuating censorship and restriction of information. This can be done by proactively identifying the latest technology so that the Cuban people may have uncensored and unrestricted internet access, creating international awareness concerning the lack of internet access on the island, and holding companies that are cooperating with the regime’s censorship fully accountable.

Cuba today is one of the least connected countries in the Americas. Governor Scott will fight to ensure tech companies working with Cuba are working in the interest of the Cuban people, and not aiding the regime in perpetuating censorship and restriction of information. This can be done by proactively identifying the latest technology so that the Cuban people may have uncensored and unrestricted internet access, creating international awareness concerning the lack of internet access on the island, and holding companies that are cooperating with the regime’s censorship fully accountable. Review the Cuban Democracy Aid Program to make certain it’s being implemented to aid independent, pro-democracy efforts that establish the groundwork for free, multiparty elections with international supervision. The Cuban dictatorship continues to work aggressively to prevent the U.S. from aiding independent, pro-democracy efforts in Cuba – and Governor Scott will not tolerate this. Governor Scott believes the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) must conduct a thorough, agency-wide analysis to determine what policies and procedures need to be put into place to address intelligence and subversion threats.

The Cuban dictatorship continues to work aggressively to prevent the U.S. from aiding independent, pro-democracy efforts in Cuba – and Governor Scott will not tolerate this. Governor Scott believes the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) must conduct a thorough, agency-wide analysis to determine what policies and procedures need to be put into place to address intelligence and subversion threats. Reinstate the Cuban government to the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. Despite Obama-era giveaways to the Castro regime, the U.S. has achieved very little in terms of changing the behavior of the regime in Cuba. Cuba continues to harbor fugitives wanted in the U.S., disregard democratic principles and treat its people with no regard to human rights. Reinstating Cuba to the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism will signal to the global community that the U.S. will not tolerate rouge nations that oppress their people.

More information on the Governor’s policy proposals, as well as “Make Washington Work” Plan proposals, will be released over the coming months.

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