Today, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, calling for an investigation into agencies in South Florida that may be attempting to circumvent U.S. sanctions against the Cuban government.
“Mis constituyentes quieren que su gobierno investigue esta burla a la ley,” said Congresswoman Salazar. “No podemos permitir que posibles cómplices de la tiranía se enriquezcan a costa de la lucha del pueblo cubano por su libertad. Cada dólar que se cuela y esquiva las sanciones debilita la política de Estados Unidos y fortalece la mano de los opresores en La Habana.”
Salazar’s office has recently received complaints indicating that some agencies in South Florida could be offering services such as “tourist packages,” “logistics,” door-to-door shipments, and car sales as possible ways to bypass sanctions. If confirmed, these activities would undermine U.S. policy intended to restrict resources from reaching the Cuban regime.
The press release notes that in Cuba’s system, nothing enters or leaves the island without government involvement. U.S. law strictly prohibits tourism and commercial business with the Cuban government.
Reports also suggest that some founders of these agencies may have ties to the Cuban regime or people close to it. For example, Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera was recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and identified as being close to one of Raúl Castro’s grandsons. These facts raise concerns about whether such agencies are providing financial support to the Cuban government.
Congresswoman Salazar has urged the administration to thoroughly investigate these agencies and take strong action if violations are found.
The full letter can be read here.
