Cuba protests may pose big test for Biden, Florida Democrats

[mia]

... Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel responded to the protests by blaming U.S. efforts to tighten the ongoing embargo, according to the Miami Herald, contending it was trying to provoke an uprising that would justify military intervention.

Context — What happens next could have reverberations in Florida, still considered a battleground state in 2022 and beyond. It’s worth noting that the Biden administration has not rolled back some of the restrictions put in place by the Trump administration even though it was President Barack Obama who pushed to reconcile with the island nation. Democrats and Republicans in Florida on Sunday criticized the current regime. Florida Democratic Party chair Manny Diaz asked Americans to “stand with the Cuban people in this dark hour” and asked the Biden administration to “coordinate the proper response.”

Taking aim — Rubio is already faulting the Biden administration, however, taking aim at how top State Department officials are framing the protests as a response to rising Covid cases and medicine shortages and not opposition to the dictatorship. Rubio criticized President Joe Biden for not speaking up about the protests. He also contended Cuba would threaten another “Mariel” — the mass emigration of Cubans into Florida that happened in 1980.

What’s next — It’s hard to predict what will happen next in Cuba. But it appears that the Biden administration’s ability to sidestep the thorny politics that come with Cuba — and its connection to Florida — has reached its end point....

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/florida-playbook/2021/07/12/cuba-protests-could-test-biden-the-bridge-mystery-unraveled-former-fla-man-crashes-texas-governors-race-493533

[asiliveandbreathe]

1. Come on Prez ..I just don't understand why you are not heeding lil' Marco

suggestions..."framing the protests as a response to rising Covid cases and medicine shortages and not opposition to the dictatorship." Identifying humanitarian needs ..for shame!!!

SARCASM thingy

[David__77]

2. The US should restore diplomatic relations with Cuba.

That would be appropriate.

[LonePirate]

3. Biden/WH response inside

Link to tweet

President Biden @POTUS

United States government official

We stand with the Cuban people as they bravely assert their fundamental and universal rights, and as they all call for freedom and relief from the tragic grip of the pandemic and from the decades of repression and economic suffering.

Linked Statement:

We stand with the Cuban people and their clarion call for freedom and relief from the tragic grip of the pandemic and from the decades of repression and economic suffering to which they have been subjected by Cuba’s authoritarian regime. The Cuban people are bravely asserting fundamental and universal rights. Those rights, including the right of peaceful protest and the right to freely determine their own future, must be respected. The United States calls on the Cuban regime to hear their people and serve their needs at this vital moment rather than enriching themselves.

[UTUSN]

4. I say, let's send RUBIO and CRUZ to spearhead aid over there (cross post)

* First of all, congratulations and solidarity to the Cubans in Cuba standing up for themselves, THERE. Finally, after all these years of their suppression.

* Next, to the Exiles protesting here: Consider making it real by somehow *MATERIALIZING* your support physically over THERE. Here's the deal: We Dems/Libs were solid in support of the revolution against the Wingnut dictator BATISTA and welcomed CASTRO and GUEVARRA, even glorified them. But soon thereafter they showed who they were - and forget the "Communism" B.S. - who they were were murderers and fortune stealers for themselves in Swiss banks. Then the First Generation of Exiles here, who were wingnuts in their own country to start with, turned against JFK and the Democratic party over the Bay of Pigs, and became willing tools for the old CIA and our wingnuts here. Then followed endless pains in the neck to us Dems from both sides - the CASTRO provocations (e.g., the Mariel dump, pokes in our eyes with USSR) and the Exile-CIA generation going full Repuke here. Not to mention that the Cubans got perks with immigration policies that other nationalities (say, Mexico) did not get. Plus, such benefits as Cuban-Americans advancing with lightning speed for top political offices (U.S. Senators), leap frogging over other minorities (say, Mexican-Americans).

* So, now that it's safer and your compatriots in Cuba are risking their all, perhaps you might consider going back, this time using your now more refined Right Wing doctrines in ways that are not oppressively dictatorial. I personally will advocate to support you over THERE.

***** After all, that's where your heart has always been, so from this Bleeding Heart Liberal I just want to bless your heart!

[mia]

5. Well said.

Especially:

"Not to mention that the Cubans got perks with immigration policies that other nationalities (say, Mexico) did not get. Plus, such benefits as Cuban-Americans advancing with lightning speed for top political offices (U.S. Senators), leap frogging over other minorities (say, Mexican-Americans)."

[alphafemale]

6. Let it play out for now.

I only see a problem if Putin supports the regime.

[Throck]

7. Canada is Cuba's best friend.

Cuba figured it out long ago.

[PortTack]

8. Oh isn't that cute of Politico..always looking to stir stuff up...when there isn't anything

Typical of their crap