Politics
Biden extends 1996 emergency status with Cuba
The measure has been in place since 1996 after two civilian aircrafts belonging to the Cuban exile organization "Hermanos al Rescate" (Brothers to the Rescue) were shot down
February 23, 2022 4:12pm
Updated: February 23, 2022 4:41pm
On February 23, President Joe Biden extended the declaration of emergency with Cuba for one more year. The measure has been in effect since 1996 after two civilian planes belonging to the Cuban exile organization "Brothers to the Rescue" were shot down.
“I am continuing the national emergency with respect to Cuba and the emergency authority relating to the regulation of the anchorage and movement of vessels,” Biden said in a statement.
“The Cuban government has not demonstrated that it will refrain from the use of excessive force against United States vessels or aircraft that may engage in memorial activities or peaceful protest north of Cuba,” continues the statement sent to congress.
Twenty-five years ago, on February 24, 1996, Cuban MiG fighters shot missiles at three planes belonging to the exile group "Hermanos al Rescate" (Brothers to the Rescue), dedicated to sighting rafters fleeing the island.
The Cuban MiGs shot down two of the Cuban exile organization's Skymaster Cessnas and killed four of their crew members, prompting a declaration of emergency by President Bill Clinton's administration.
Cuba claimed the planes had violated its airspace to disseminate propaganda material against the regime. However, the U.S. government claims that they were in international airspace near the north of the island.
On March 1, 1996, Clinton issued the emergency declaration, which was eased, although maintained, by the Executive of President Barack Obama, despite having reestablished relations with Havana in 2014.
“The unauthorized entry of any United States-registered vessel into Cuban territorial waters continues to be detrimental to the foreign policy of the United States because such entry could facilitate a mass migration from Cuba,” added Biden. “It continues to be United States policy that a mass migration from Cuba would endanger United States national security by posing a disturbance or threatened disturbance of the international relations of the United States.”
