
The Cuban embassy reopened on Monday for the first time in more than 50 years in Washington, D.C., while the U.S. opened the doors to its embassy in Havana -- latest step in President Barack Obama’s efforts to normalize relations with the communist nation. Gov. Rick Scott said he continued to oppose those efforts and accused Obama of appeasing the Castro regime.
"I stand in firm opposition to the reopening of the Cuban embassy in the United States and the American embassy in Cuba,” Scott said on Monday. “Last week, the Castro regime arrested 100 peaceful protestors in Cuba. Re-establishing diplomatic ties will only serve to legitimize this sort of oppression. The arrests of peaceful protestors in Cuba have also doubled in the past year and President Obama continues to make concessions to the Castro brothers. This move by President Obama will further tie our great nation to the oppressive Castro regime. As governor, I will continue to stand with the people of Cuba in their pro-democracy movement.”
From his seat on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., labeled the day “Obama’s Capitulation Monday” due to the embassies opening and the deal with Iran over its nuclear program.
“We have entered the most dangerous phase of the Obama presidency in which the president is flat-out abandoning America’s vital national security interests to cozy up to the world’s most reprehensible regimes,” Rubio insisted.
“President Obama’s concessions to the Castro regime are ... deeply troubling,” Rubio added. “Cuba is not just some small island with old cars; it is a country controlled by a despotic regime that provides a safe haven and base of forward operations to Russia and China in our own hemisphere. It harbors terrorists and fugitives from justice who have killed American citizens and brutalizes peaceful pro-democracy activists. I reiterate my promise to block the confirmation of any ambassador to this despicable regime.”
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., a leading congressional Republican on international matters, held a press conference with Florida Republican U.S. Reps. Carlos Curbelo and Mario Diaz-Balart on Monday. She accused Obama of “further legitimizing the tyrannical regime in Havana” with the embassy openings.
“The Cuban people’s oppressors will not hesitate to use this ‘embassy’ as a spy hub, as they have done in the past to threaten our homeland,” Ros-Lehtinen insisted. “Just yesterday, Cuban State Security arrested pro-democracy members, including Ladies in White leader Berta Soler, which continues to illustrate how the Castro brothers are emboldened by Obama’s overtures. While human rights activists are imprisoned and jailed for speaking out for freedom and justice, the Obama administration is rejoicing and looking the other way today as embassies are opened.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to block funding for the expansion of a U.S. embassy in Cuba and to stop the confirmation of a U.S. ambassador to the island,” said Ros-Lehtinen. “However, no matter the steps we are able to take, it is undeniable that today is a sad day for U.S. national security and human rights around the world.”
Democrats from the Sunshine State generally kept a low profile over the Cuban embassy question on Monday, though U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., reiterated her strong support of the Obama administration.
“Restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba sets our countries on a more productive path forward for citizens of both nations and turns the page on the outdated policy of isolation over the past 50 years,” Castor said. “America is rightfully committed to freedom, economic opportunity and human rights through ‘engagement.’ Today’s event at the Cuban Embassy was filled with hope for a better future. I couldn't help but think of the families who I represent and speak with on a regular basis who have urged a more practical and humanitarian approach to the foreign policy of both countries.
“Indeed, formal diplomatic relations will be welcomed by many Cuban-American families, churches, cultural groups and businesses across Florida,” Castor added. “My congressional office in Tampa assists them every day with cases ranging from travel to medical emergencies. One of the first cases my office assisted with after I was elected to Congress more than eight years ago was to help with the matching process for a bone marrow transplant, made almost impossible without diplomatic relations in place. The Tampa Bay community, including business and education leaders, also has stood with me in developing ties and establishing Tampa as a gateway to Cuba, and boosting cultural and educational exchanges. We have made progress, but can go further to create jobs, improve human rights and foster better economic opportunities in Cuba and in the United States. The only way to accomplish this is through better engagement and dialogue.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to take the next step by ending the travel ban and embargo,” Castor said in conclusion. “I have had discussions with U.S. State Department and Cuban officials and will continue to actively seek to bring the Cuban consulate back to Tampa. I intend to share my community's interest in a consulate directly with Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez later today.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN