Congressman Diaz-Balart: 'It's time to put pressure on the Cuban regime, not to help it'

U.S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart criticized on Thursday the Biden Administration's talks with the communist government of Cuba because, according to the legislator, "it is time to put pressure on the regime."

"It's time to pressure the regime, not help the regime. #SOSCuba," the Florida Republican politician stated on Twitter.

Diaz-Balart shared on social media a video with statements to journalist Mario J. Penton. "First of all, these are not 'immigration negotiations'. They are using the pretext of immigration to look for ways to give concessions, aid, financing to the regime in Havana," said the Cuban-American politician.

Although the congressman says it is "unacceptable" to negotiate with Castroism, "it is not a surprise. We knew this was coming."

Diaz-Balart believes that Biden Administration officials "were trying to do it before, but then the Cuban people took to the streets" on July 11, 2021.

"Now they have looked for a pretext. Today, we sent a letter to the Secretary of State [Antony Blinken] explaining why this is unacceptable, that we are not confused, that this is not the time to give concessions to the regime but to put pressure on it," he added.

Regarding the criticisms of those who oppose the talks because they supposedly undermine the Family Reunification Program, the congressman said: "One thing has nothing to do with the other. Mr. Biden's administration announced it was going to reopen it and start the process... It has not. This is all a distraction and with the goal of helping the regime. I think it is important to reopen the Cuban family reunification process. In addition to that, I proposed legislation to make it permanent so that no president can take it away. But so far, President Biden has not done that.”

The Republican claims that the White House is "looking for a way to give them [the Cuban government] concessions, aid, and we are going to see it. There are no surprises here. The one who is leading the talks on the U.S. side is a person who has a history of helping the interests of the Castro regime. That is the sad reality and we will not be misled.”

Mario Diaz-Balart pledged to "continue fighting so that President Biden does not consolidate, aid, and give legitimacy to the Castro regime."

On April 21, State Department officials led by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Emily Mendrala met in Washington D.C. with a delegation from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío.

"The U.S. delegation highlighted areas of successful cooperation on migration issues while identifying problems that have been obstacles to meeting the objectives of the Agreements" between the two countries, according to a statement by the State Department.

The Biden Administration claims that "allowing safe, legal and orderly migration between Cuba and the United States remains a mutual interest… and is consistent with U.S. interests in encouraging family reunification and promoting greater respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba."