Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to President Trump on April 15 urging him to intensify efforts against the Cuban government by expanding measures beyond those outlined in the January 29, 2026 Executive Order addressing threats posed by Cuba.
Scott said this action is needed as the Cuban government continues its system of repression, including a recent mass pardon that did not release any political prisoners. He called for targeting Cuba’s medical missions program and GAESA, a military conglomerate believed to be a major financial source for the regime.
“Your administration’s record on Cuba has been exceptional. The August 2025 visa revocations targeting officials in Brazil, Grenada, and several African nations sent an unmistakable message, and it worked: Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Paraguay, Guyana, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines have all moved to phase out or restructure their Cuban medical mission agreements,” Scott wrote in his letter. He also said that further steps should target countries like Mexico that maintain contracts with these programs.
Scott described how over 20,000 Cuban medical workers are sent abroad each year while much of their earnings are retained by Havana. He argued that this practice generates billions annually for the regime and constitutes forced labor supported by foreign governments contracting with Cuba. GAESA was identified as controlling about 40 percent of Cuba’s economy through sectors such as tourism and banking.
Scott recommended actions including secondary tariffs on third countries facilitating these revenues; targeted visa bans for officials involved in such contracts; suspending U.S. foreign aid to governments maintaining active agreements with Cuba; and prohibiting U.S.-linked entities from new infrastructure deals with GAESA.
According to his official website, Scott serves on Senate Committees including Armed Services and Homeland Security and has championed fiscal responsibility during his career. He previously served as governor of Florida focusing on economic growth before being elected senator representing Florida according to the official website. His background includes service in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Glover after high school according to the official website.
In closing his letter Scott wrote: “Thanks to your continued pressure the illegitimate Castro-Díaz-Canel regime is financially fragile and the world is closer seeing a free Cuba than it has been in decades.”
