David Rivera Slams Obama and Bill Richardson on Cuba

Former Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico arrived in Cuba on Wednesday to negotiate with that nations communist regime over Alan Gross, an American the Castro regime accuses of spying while his defenders maintain he was helping with setting up communications technology for that nations Jewish community. Florida Republican U.S. Rep. David Rivera, a freshman on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, came out firing away at the Obama administration for sending Richardson, who does have experience in international negotiations, to meet with the Castro government.

Governor Richardsons visit to Cuba is nothing short of kowtowing to one of the worlds most ruthless dictatorships, said Rivera in a statement issued late Wednesday. The fact that the Cuban government invited Governor Richardson, and that the Obama administration has been in contact with the governor, demonstrates the Obama administrations focus on appeasing the Castro brothers rather than winning the release of an American hostage."

Bill Richardson and the Obama administration should send a clear message to the Castro dictatorship: release Alan Gross immediately and unconditionally, continued Rivera. Otherwise, the Obama administration should suspend all licensing of trade, travel, and remittances to Cuba and impose a genuine embargo on the island.

Efforts at appeasement and kowtowing to the Cuban regime only sends a message of weakness to terrorist dictators like the Castro brothers, concluded Rivera. President Obama must make the Castro dictatorship know that unless Alan Gross is released immediately and unconditionally, serious consequences will follow, including suspension of trade, travel, and remittance activity to the island."