Newt Gingrich Promises to Fight for a 'Cuban Spring'

Republican presidential hopeful former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich pledged on Friday to fight for a free and democratic Cuba.

Gingrich wrote to Frank Alonso of Miami, the president of Cuban Unity, and pointed to his record on Cuba.

Throughout my years of service in the United States Congress, I was a consistent and active supporter of efforts to isolate, destabilize and terminate the Castro dictatorship.As speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, I was proud to work with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart to pass the 1996 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act (Helms-Burton), Gingrich wrote. Let me assure the Cuban-American community, the captive Cuban people, and the Castro tyrants themselves, that a Newt Gingrich presidency will be committed to implementing a proactive policy agenda to expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.

Gingrich pledged, if elected, to continue sanctions on the Castro dictatorship until all political prisoners are released, civil liberties are restored and free elections are held and promised to have the U.S. Department of Justice explore indicting the Castro brothers for the murder of innocent Americans in the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shoot-down. Gingrich also promised to restore travel restrictions the Bush administration backed in 2004.

My presidency will be fully committed to both supporting the heroic internal opposition activists inside Cuba who are bravely risking their lives for a free and democratic Cuba, as well as delivering the message of freedom to Cuba through Radio and TV Marti, added Gingrich. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to express my commitment to the cause of a free and democratic Cuba.Last years Arab Spring will serve as an inspiration to my presidency to pursue proactive policies meant to make the hope of a Cuban Spring a reality. As president of the United States, be assured the Cuban-American community and the Cuban people will have no greater ally and will continue to have my steadfast support in this noble cause.