Florida congresswoman lashes out against Colombian VP for defending Cuban dictatorship

U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar of Florida gave a strong response last week to pro-Cuban regime statements uttered by Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez.

“It is a crying shame that the vice president of such an important country, with a democracy as solid as Colombia's, is so innocent, so ignorant, and so unconcerned about knowing the truth,” Salazar said in a video.

Salazar criticized Francia Márquez for praising the "medical missions" that Cuba sells abroad, since, according to Salazar, "Cuban doctors are slaves of the Castro regime."

"The Vice President does not know that the Cuban doctors have to escape, and that they have to go on one of these missions so they can eat three times a day," added the congresswoman, who has met several doctors who deserted from the so called "missions."

“If, for example, Mexico is paying $5,000 for a Cuban doctor, Mexico pays it to the Castro regime, and then the Castro regime pays the Cuban doctor $200, nothing more... we are talking about that less than five percent that goes to that doctor's pocket,” Salazar explained.

“And she, the Vice President, really thinks that this is one of the great achievements of the Revolution? No, no, no. That is called human slavery," said the Cuban-American politician.

“I am telling you: Mrs. Francia, understand that what you are saying is completely wrong, that Cuban doctors are slaves and I am sure that you do not agree with slavery, because people of your race had to live under that method for many years and I am very much against slavery as are you,” added Salazar.

The Republican politician asked the vice president of Colombia "that she be the first to denounce it, adding that the the regime has "not only make slaves of the doctors, but of the entire Cuban population.”

Hay unas cuantas cosas que debe saber la vicepresidenta de Colombia, Francia Márquez, y aquí se las digo. pic.twitter.com/n93PoWqkqw

— María Elvira Salazar 🇺🇸 (@MaElviraSalazar) March 15, 2023

During an interview with Semana magazine, Márquez came out in defense of Cuba's political system, considering it a "dictatorship blocked" by the United States and defended its supposed achievements.