Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a U.S. Congresswoman representing Florida’s 27th district and known for her advocacy on issues affecting the Cuban-American community, published several posts on February 19, 2026, addressing the anniversary of the Brothers to the Rescue shootdown and current conditions in Cuba.
In a post from that day, Salazar stated: “Junto a @mariodb, @repcarlos y @SenAshleyMoody al conmemorar 30 años del derribo de Brothers to the Rescue, acompañando a las familias que han cargado con este dolor por décadas. Cuatro estadounidenses fueron asesinados deliberadamente en espacio aéreo internacional por el” (February 19, 2026).
Later that evening, she commented on the state of affairs in Cuba: “The regime has nothing left to offer but repression. No food. No water. No electricity. No medicine. And now, no fear. With strength and resolve, we stand with the Cuban people as they demand the oxygen of freedom. This is a historic moment. Cuba will be free.” (February 19, 2026).
A similar message was posted in Spanish: “El régimen no tiene nada más que ofrecer que represión. No hay comida. No hay agua. No hay electricidad. No hay medicinas. Y ahora, tampoco hay miedo.
Con firmeza y determinación, estamos junto al pueblo cubano mientras exige LIBERTAD. Este es un momento histórico.” (February 19, 2026).
The “Brothers to the Rescue” incident referenced by Salazar occurred in February 1996 when two civilian aircraft operated by a Miami-based humanitarian group were shot down by Cuban military jets over international waters; four members of the group were killed in this event.
Cuba has faced ongoing shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicine for years amid persistent economic challenges and political restrictions.
