Duval Times

Senators Rick Scott and Tommy Tuberville have announced the reintroduction of the DEMOCRACIA Act, a legislative proposal aimed at imposing severe sanctions on Cuba's communist regime. The bill seeks to hold the Cuban government accountable for human rights abuses through unprecedented financial pressure.

Senator Rick Scott stated, "Cuba is the root of instability in Latin America and a constant threat to U.S. national security, emboldened by four years of Biden-Harris appeasement policies. The illegitimate Castro/Díaz-Canel communist regime harbors terrorist groups, denies freedom and democracy to the Cuban people while providing a secret police force to Maduro to oppress Venezuelans, and hosts a Chinese Communist Party spy station 90 miles from Florida." He added that "the Cuban regime supports ruthless dictators and allows Russia, Iran, and Communist China to establish themselves in Latin America to extend their influence."

Scott emphasized that former President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have already taken steps against the Cuban regime, including reversing Biden's decision to remove them from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. However, he insists on maintaining pressure with this new legislation. "The DEMOCRACIA Act will build on their efforts by implementing severe sanctions against communist Cuba and closing existing sanction gaps," he said.

The act authorizes the President to impose sanctions blocking assets and denying entry into the United States for foreign individuals knowingly involved with Cuba's defense, security, or intelligence sectors if they engage in human rights abuses or support international terrorism. It also targets entities owned significantly by designated persons or those operating as military contractors for Cuba.

Furthermore, it empowers the President to address human rights violations and corruption within Cuba by targeting members of various governmental bodies like the Communist Party of Cuba, Revolutionary Armed Forces, Ministry of Interior among others. Family members of blocked individuals are also subject to these sanctions.

To lift these sanctions, conditions include releasing political prisoners in Cuba, legalizing all political parties, establishing a free press, and scheduling internationally observed free elections.

Additionally, the act allows immediate measures for providing unrestricted internet service to Cubans not censored by their government. It requires setting up a task force for long-term solutions ensuring reliable internet access for Cubans.