US Sanctions, Internet Services Needed to Support Cuban People, Lawmakers Say
Two lawmakers said the U.S. should impose more sanctions against Cuba for its suppression of pro-democracy protests, but other measures are needed as well.
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Rep. Albio Sires, D-N.J., praised the Biden administration for recently sanctioning two Cuban police officials and a police agency involved in the protests (see 2107300063) and said more designations are warranted. “I called for sanctions against perpetrators of human rights abuses [in Cuba], and I applaud the administration for taking some initial steps to do this,” Sires said, speaking during an event last week hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. But “we must continue to use all diplomatic and economic tools we have to support the Cuban people,” he said. “We must rise to the occasion and show that we stand with them.”
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., said sanctions are sometimes useful, but they should also be accompanied by other measures. “I agree that the sanctions are a start, but it's just a start,” she said. “I don’t think a lot of those people are coming to the United States or doing business with the United States, so therefore those sanctions don't have as much of an impact as we would like.”
Both lawmakers said the U.S. should do more to work with allies to pressure the Cuban regime and help provide internet services and access to the island. The Bureau of Industry and Security and the Office of Foreign Assets Control recently issued a fact sheet highlighting the various exemptions and authorizations available for companies, people and exporters providing telecommunications goods and services to Cuba (see 2108120025).