Senator Rick Scott, joined by Senator Tommy Tuberville, has reintroduced the Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus (DEMOCRACIA) Act, aiming to impose severe sanctions on the Cuban communist regime for human rights abuses and ties to international adversaries.
The legislation, first introduced in the previous Congress with now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio, intensifies financial and diplomatic pressure on Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel’s government and seeks to close existing sanctions loopholes.
In a statement, Senator Rick Scott emphasized the urgency of holding the Cuban dictatorship accountable, blaming Biden-era policies for emboldening the regime:
“Cuba is the root of instability in Latin America and a constant threat to U.S. national security, only emboldened by the past four years of Biden-Harris appeasement policies. The illegitimate, communist Castro/Díaz-Canel regime harbors terrorist groups, denies freedom and democracy to the Cuban people, and supports dictatorships in Venezuela and Nicaragua. Worse, it has allowed the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to establish a spy station just 90 miles from Florida.
President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have already taken decisive action to restore Cuba to the State Sponsor of Terrorism List, reversing Biden’s dangerous decision to remove them. My DEMOCRACIA Act builds on this by enforcing severe sanctions against the Cuban regime and ensuring we support the Cuban people’s fight for freedom.”
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Senator Tommy Tuberville echoed Scott’s sentiment, warning that the United States will not stand by while the Cuban government continues its oppressive rule, “Thanks to President Trump, we now have strength in the White House again. The Cuban communist regime continues to commit heinous human rights abuses and imprison political dissidents. If they want to continue their oppressive policies, they will be sanctioned. I am proud to join my colleagues in standing against this evil regime.”
The DEMOCRACIA Act expands U.S. sanctions on Cuba’s defense, security, and intelligence sectors while authorizing additional penalties against officials responsible for human rights violations. The legislation includes:
1. Expanded Sanctions on Cuban Officials and Military Entities
- Authorizes the President to impose sanctions on any foreign person who knowingly engages in financial or military activities with Cuba’s defense, security, and intelligence sectors.
- Sanctions individuals and entities providing financial, technological, or material support to the Cuban regime.
- Sanctions extend to military contractors and paramilitary forces operating in service of Cuba’s government.
- Applies asset freezes and entry bans to senior officials of Cuba’s Communist Party, security forces, and law enforcement agencies.
2. Human Rights Accountability
- Expands sanctions against officials complicit in torture, wrongful imprisonment, and suppression of free speech.
- Targets members of the Communist Party of Cuba, including the Office of Religious Affairs, Council of State, and Council of Ministers.
- Blacklists Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces, including the National Revolutionary Police Force.
- Sanctions judicial officials who violate due process.
- Extends sanctions to family members of blocked individuals to prevent circumvention of restrictions.
3. Conditions for Lifting Sanctions
The Act prohibits the removal of sanctions unless Cuba:
- Releases all political prisoners.
- Legalizes opposition political parties.
- Establishes a free and independent press.
- Schedules internationally observed, free, and fair elections.
4. Internet Freedom for the Cuban People
- Authorizes the President to provide unrestricted, reliable internet service to the Cuban people that cannot be censored by the Cuban regime.
- Directs the U.S. government to establish a task force to develop long-term solutions for ensuring secure communication access in Cuba.
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The DEMOCRACIA Act builds on the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to isolating the Cuban regime. President Trump has already taken significant steps to reverse Biden-era policies, including:
- Reinstating Cuba on the U.S. State Sponsor of Terrorism List.
- Cutting diplomatic ties and economic relief programs that previously enabled Cuba’s government.
- Increasing intelligence and military oversight to counter Cuba’s collaboration with Russia, Iran, and China.
The White House and State Department have signaled strong support for the bill, calling it a necessary measure to curb Cuba’s destabilizing influence in the Western Hemisphere.
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