Continued Talks Between United States and Cuba Embolden Castro Regime to Continue Undermining Human Rights

Statement

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement regarding the upcoming high level migration talks between the United States and Cuba. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

"The continued concessions from the United States to Cuba are just another display of the shameful blank check the Obama administration has extended the tyrannical Castro regime. Despite rhetoric by the President that an opening of relations would foster democracy and improve human rights, the Cuban people remain oppressed, as basic freedoms continue to be curtailed.

"No rapprochement between the United States and Cuba should take place until we see improvement for democratic rights on the island, all prisoners are released, and there are free, fair and transparent elections. While Assistant Secretary Jacobson gets set to meet with members of the Castro regime this week, she should do so knowing that it is the same oppressive regime that the people of Cuba continue to denounce for its brutality. We all want to see a free and democratic Cuba, but holding these misguided talks with the Cuban regime will have the opposite effect and serve to further embolden and entrench the regime, not bring about desperately needed reforms"

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