Senator Moody seeks to sanction Communist Cuban regime for human rights abuses

Press release from Senator Ashley Moody

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Ashley Moody is cosponsoring the Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus (DEMOCRACIA) Act to hold the illegitimate Communist Cuban regime accountable through severe sanctions and unprecedented financial pressure.  

Senator Ashley Moody said, “The Communist Cuban regime continues to profit from the oppression of their people. In Florida, we know firsthand the cost of that tyranny through our Cuban-American community that carries the stories of families who fled persecution and continue pushing forward for liberty. The DEMOCRACIA Act cuts off these corrupt revenue streams and holds the dictatorship accountable. Through cosponsoring this bill, we are standing with these freedom fighters to ensure not a single U.S. dollar helps prop up this oppressive regime.”  

Senator Rick Scott said, “Cuba is the root of instability in Latin America and a constant threat to the national security of the United States, only emboldened by the past four years of Biden-Harris appeasement policies. The illegitimate, Communist Castro/Díaz-Canel regime harbors terrorist groups, denies freedom and democracy to the Cuban people while providing a secret police force to Maduro to oppress the Venezuelan people, and hosts a Chinese Communist Party spy station 90 miles from Florida. The Cuban regime props up ruthless dictators and allows a foothold in Latin America for Russia, Iran, and Communist China to spread their influence. President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have already taken action to hold the Cuban regime accountable, including reversing Biden’s dangerous decision to remove them from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List, but we must keep the pressure going. My DEMOCRACIA Act will build on their efforts by implementing severe sanctions against Communist Cuba and closing existing sanctions gaps. It will also authorize the president to provide unrestricted internet service to the people of Cuba that is not censored by the Cuban regime. The United States continues to stand with the Cuban people, and this bill will send a powerful message as we work to bring a new day of freedom and democracy to Cuba and the entire western hemisphere.”  

Senator Tommy Tuberville said, “Thanks to President Trump, we have strength in the White House again. The United States will not stand by while the Cuban communist regime commits heinous human rights abuses and takes political prisoners. If Cuba wants to continue committing these crimes, they should be sanctioned. I am proud to join my colleagues in standing up against this evil regime.”   

The Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus Act (DEMOCRACIA Act):  

• Authorizes the president to impose sanctions — blocking assets and denying entry into the United States — on a foreign person if the president determines that the person knowingly engages in an activity with Cuba’s defense sector, security sector, intelligence sector, or any other sector involved in carrying out human rights abuses or providing support for international terrorism.  
  • A foreign person or senior official that provides significant financial, material, or technological support to, or engages in a significant transaction with Cuba’s defense, security, or intelligence sector or any entity or individual affiliated with that sector (including their immediate adult family member)  
  • Any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 25% or more by one or more designated persons are also subject to sanctions  
  • Any foreign person that is a military contractor, mercenary, or paramilitary force knowingly operating in a military, security, or intelligence capacity for or on behalf of the Cuban regime  
• Authorizes the President to impose sanctions with respect to human rights abuse and corruption in Cuba including:  
  • Members of the Communist Party of Cuba, including the Office of Religious Affairs and members of the Politburo and the Central Committee  
  • Members of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers  
  • Ministry of the Interior of Cuba, to include the National Revolutionary Police Force  
  • Members of the committee for the Defense of the Revolution  
  • The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba  
  • Office of the President of Cuba  
  • Any official of the Cuban regime who works with the Ministry of Justice or the Office of the Attorney General and who violates due process rights of an individual in Cuba  
  • The spouse and children of any of these blocked individuals are also subject to these sanctions  
• Authorizes the President to terminate these sanctions only if he certifies to Congress that the Government of Cuba:  
  • Has released all political prisoners,  
  • Legalized all political parties,  
  • Establishes a free press, and  
  • Free, fair, multiparty internationally observed elections are scheduled in a timely manner  

• Authorizes the president to immediately use all means possible to provide unrestricted, reliable internet service to the people of Cuba that is not censored or blocked by the Cuban regime.  

• Requires the President to establish a taskforce to develop long-term solutions for providing reliable internet service to the people of Cuba that is not censored or blocked by the Cuban regime.  

Read full bill text here.