This resolution commends the courage of Cuban protestors from four years ago while strongly condemning the ongoing human rights abuses and repression by the Communist Cuban regime.
Rick Scott
Senator
FL
This resolution commends the courage of Cuban citizens who protested for fundamental rights against the Communist regime four years ago. It strongly condemns the Cuban government for its ongoing brutal repression, torture, and unjust imprisonment of hundreds of activists and political prisoners. The bill urges the international community to demand the immediate release of all political prisoners and hold the regime accountable for human rights abuses. Finally, it calls for U.S. policy to prioritize democracy and human rights in Cuba.
Congress Commends Cuban Protesters, Demands Accountability Four Years After July 11 Crackdown
This resolution is Congress making a formal, strongly worded statement about the situation in Cuba, specifically focusing on the pro-democracy protests that happened four years ago. Think of it less as a new law and more as the U.S. government putting its moral weight behind a specific foreign policy stance.
The July 11 Anniversary and the Human Rights Scorecard
The core of this resolution is a full-throated condemnation of the Cuban Communist regime’s response to the July 11, 2021, protests. The bill text highlights that the regime reacted with "brutal harassment, beatings, and torture," detaining over 1,400 people, including women and children. They even cut off internet and mobile services to hide the crackdown—a move that digital natives will recognize as a classic authoritarian playbook tactic. This isn’t just historical commentary; it’s Congress keeping the spotlight on the ongoing repression.
What’s Happening to the Political Prisoners?
This resolution gets specific about the human cost. It calls out that activists like José Daniel Ferrer García are still imprisoned, along with hundreds of others. Congress notes that these individuals are reportedly suffering horrific conditions: months in solitary confinement, torture, malnutrition, and denial of medical care. They are also criticizing the Cuban system for using "sham trials" to hand down ridiculously long sentences—up to 25 years—for vague charges like "public disorder." For everyday people, this confirms that the U.S. government is paying attention to the details of human rights abuses, which often impacts whether international pressure is maintained.
Economic Failure and U.S. Policy Pressure
Beyond the political repression, the resolution points out the catastrophic failure of Cuba's command economy. It explicitly states that the Communist system has led to shortages of food and medicine for everyday Cubans while enriching the military elite who control key industries. This connects the political freedom fight directly to the kitchen-table issues of survival. The resolution then urges the current U.S. administration to keep democracy, human rights, and civil liberties as the main focus of its Cuba policy. That means maintaining strong sanctions until the Cuban regime meets specific conditions for democratic reform. For those who worry about U.S. policy softening toward the Cuban government, this resolution serves as a strong signal that Congress wants the pressure kept on.