North Austin News

Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul and Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar introduced the Fighting Oppression until the Reign of Castro Ends (FORCE) Act. This legislation aims to prevent the U.S. administration from normalizing relations with Cuba until democracy is restored in the country. The bill was introduced following the Biden administration's move to rescind Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.

“Removing Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list will only embolden the country’s brutal communist regime as it seeks to destabilize the globe and undermine democracy," said Chairman Emeritus McCaul. He criticized President Biden's approach, stating that under his leadership, "the Castro regime has brutally repressed and starved its own people, sent its citizens to help Putin’s army destroy Ukraine, and hosted a Beijing spy base."

Chairwoman Salazar also expressed her concerns: “It is clear that with President Biden’s betrayal of the Cuban community on the island and in exile, the need to keep the regime on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List until freedom is restored is more necessary than ever.”

The FORCE Act stipulates that Cuba must meet certain conditions before being removed from the terrorism list. These include releasing all political prisoners, allowing investigations by international human rights organizations, transitioning away from the Castro regime, and committing to free and fair elections.