Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, along with Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart and Carlos Giménez, has called on the U.S. Departments of the Treasury and Commerce to revoke licenses granted to American companies that do business with Cuban state-controlled enterprises.
In a joint letter, the lawmakers expressed concern that current licenses issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) allow transactions benefiting entities controlled by the Cuban government. They argue this undermines U.S. sanctions law as outlined in the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996.
“U.S. law is clear: sanctions exist to deny economic support to the Cuban dictatorship until real democratic change occurs,” said Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar. “That is why we are urging the Administration to review and revoke any licenses that directly or indirectly benefit regime-controlled entities, strengthen scrutiny of future licenses, and fully enforce the LIBERTAD Act. Every dollar denied to the regime brings the Cuban people one step closer to freedom.”
Congressman Carlos Gimenez stated, “President Trump’s decisive actions have brought us closer than ever to the collapse of the Communist regime in Cuba. We’re asking to shutdown every source of income the regime uses to repress the Cuban people. Close the valve of free oil from Venezuela, close the valve of flight and remittances, and close the valve of these businesses shipping luxury products from the US to Cuba, which undermines the intent of Congress and President Trump’s common-sense policy against the regime. God willing, the Castro regime will not survive these four years of President Donald J. Trump!”
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart added, “I said it during President Trump’s first term, and I will say it again: I am convinced the anti-American dictatorships in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua will not survive another term of bold and decisive American leadership under President Trump. The Cuban regime is weaker today than it has ever been. History makes clear that there is only one approach that works against brutal dictatorships: zero tolerance and maximum pressure. That means enforcing U.S. law, which prohibits all businesses from dealing with the Cuban regime and cutting off every dollar that props up a State Sponsor of Terrorism, as Congress mandated in the LIBERTAD Act of 1996.”
The LIBERTAD Act directs U.S. sanctions at denying economic support for Cuba’s government until progress toward democracy is made; specific sections prohibit assistance—direct or indirect—to state-owned enterprises involved in repression.
The representatives warn that existing licensing practices could provide financial resources or material support used for internal repression or intelligence operations by Havana’s authorities—a situation they say contradicts Section 205 of U.S. law requiring continued sanctions until a transition government exists.
Their letter urges federal agencies to conduct a full review of active licenses involving Cuba’s government or its state-owned companies; revoke those benefiting such entities; apply stricter scrutiny on future license requests related to Cuba; and issue updated guidance clarifying how supporting Havana violates current laws.
Salazar has previously raised concerns about weak enforcement enabling sanctioned-evasion schemes benefiting Havana during recent administrations. She also pressed for investigations into alleged violations via her role on congressional committees overseeing financial crimes enforcement.
The lawmakers maintain that strict adherence to sanction policies protects national security interests while supporting efforts for political change within Cuba.