Differing opinions on the new U.S. regulations regarding the Cuban private business sector have come from Congress.[1]
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (Rep, FL) apparently said the new regulations are U.S. “concessions” reflecting Biden “desperation” and are “deeply worrying. Cuba’s ‘private sector’ is a façade that enriches the Castro and Díaz-Canel regime, as demonstrated by the failed commitments during the . . [Obama] administration.”
Several analysts reportedly agree that such enterprises are a mechanism of Cuban power to use such enterprises to evade U.S. embargo regulations. According to Rubio, “Any financial aid to this vile regime only encourages further repression and anti-American attacks.”
Democratic Representative Barbara Lee (California) disagrees. She thanked President Biden “for the steps to support Cuban entrepreneurs,” who “deserve the opportunity to grow their businesses and provide for their families.” According to Congresswoman Lee, these businessmen would suffer “harassment” from the governments of both Cuba and the United States.
She also said, “After more than six decades, the [U.S.] embargo is causing immense suffering without bringing any positive change in Cuba” and it is long past time to leave the “failed embargo” behind and to “completely” normalize relations with (the Government) of Cuba.
Concurring opinions were expressed by Representative James McGovern (Dem. Mass) who said he has “met many small and medium-sized business owners and I know that these changes will help them carry out basic financial transactions.” He added, the Biden Administration “must continue taking these positive steps—particularly removing the Cuban (regime) from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and working toward the normalization of diplomatic relations between both countries.”
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[1] ‘Concessions to the regime’ or ‘support for entrepreneurs’: U.S. politicians in the face of Biden’s new measures, Diario de Cuba (May 30, 2024).
