Members of Congress Urge Biden to Lift Sanctions on Cuba
Eighteen members of Congress sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list
On Wednesday, members of Congress led by Reps. Barbara Lee (CA-12), Jim McGovern (MA-2), Gregory Meeks (NY-5), and Joaquin Castro (TX-20) joined 14 of their colleagues in writing a letter to President Joe Biden urging immediate sanctions relief for the Cuban people amid blackouts and an escalating energy crisis exacerbated by Hurricane Rafael’s impact.
“The situation is not only causing immense suffering for the Cuban people but also poses serious risks to U.S. national security interests,” the lawmakers wrote. “If left unaddressed, the crisis will almost certainly fuel increased migration, strain U.S. border management systems, and fully destabilize the already-strained Caribbean region.”
The lawmakers are requesting President Biden remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, expedite humanitarian aid and technical assistance, issue safe harbor letters to address overcompliance with sanctions, suspend impending aid, and facilitate energy infrastructure repair and modernization. The letter lists five key actions they would like to see taken immediately.
Remove the State Sponsor of Terror Designation
“We strongly recommend removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) list. This will reduce barriers to oil shipments and clarify that carriers and insurers can operate legally in Cuba, facilitating access to energy and economic relief for the Cuban people.”
Expedite Emergency Humanitarian and Technical Assistance to the Cuban People
“The U.S. government should immediately provide humanitarian aid, including food and medicine while deploying technical assistance and equipment to stabilize Cuba’s electrical grid. This aid should be delivered to the Cuban people without delay, and in coordination with international partners such as the European Union, FAO, WFP, and PAHO to maximize its impact.”
Issue Safe Harbor Letters to Address Overcompliance with Sanctions
“One key barrier to increased non-government assistance to Cuba is the fear that private businesses and non-profit organizations have been running afoul of U.S. sanctions, whether or not a General License is available from the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). We strongly urge the provision of OFAC safe harbor letters to ensure that humanitarian aid efforts to Cuba, including the provision of food, medicine, and technical assistance, fully comply with U.S. sanctions regulations and are protected from enforcement actions.”
Suspend Sanctions Impeding Aid
“We urge you to suspend sanctions that hinder the flow of humanitarian assistance, including restoring the EAR license exception to allow donations to Cuban health and humanitarian relief entities. These changes will enable quicker assistance from U.S. humanitarian organizations, religious groups, and private citizens to the Cuban people.”
Facilitate Energy Infrastructure Repair and Modernization
“The U.S. should fast-track the export of critical equipment needed to repair and upgrade Cuba’s energy grid. In addition, lifting Cuba-specific restrictions on oil and LPG exports will help prevent a total grid collapse.”
Cubans have suffered under a U.S. embargo for more than 60 years with hundreds of sanctions crippling Cuba’s growth. Recently, the United Nations General Assembly held its yearly vote to condemn the unilateral oppression of Cuba by the United States. Unsurprisingly, the U.S. and Israel voted against the condemnation as they have both done for decades.
“We understand that absent action from Congress, executive actions on Cuba are subject to reversal,” reads the letter. “That should not deter us from acting to avert further suffering and damage to United States interests. Even temporary relief can save lives and permit the Cuban people a chance to insulate themselves and their families from further vulnerability. We urge your administration to act swiftly to implement these measures and mitigate the growing crisis in Cuba while advancing U.S. interests in the region.”
It’s worth noting that president-elect Donald Trump imposed hundreds of additional sanctions during his first term just as Cuba’s economy was experiencing unprecedented growth thanks in large part to former president Barack Obama normalizing the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba. That President Joe Biden has kept Cuba on the State Sponsor of Terror list speaks to the history of the bipartisan nature of the inhumane treatment of Cubans.
As a Cuban American, I hope the letter does some good for my family on the island.
Read the full letter here.
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