US senators condemned the violence in Cuba: “We will not ignore the brutal oppression of human rights by the regime”

The members of the US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee this Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution condemning Cuban dictatorship’s “violent response” to massive anti-government protests that rocked the island on July 11.

This resolution is important because it received the support of members of the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as members of both houses of Congress.

Among the promoters of the measure are two senators of Cuban origin: Democrat Bob Menéndez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the most senior Latino in Congress, as well as Republican Marco Rubio, representative of Florida, where much of the Cuban exile resides.

“I am very proud to lead this effort to make it clear that Democrats and Republicans are united in saying that we are not going to neglect, idealize or justify the brutal oppression by the Cuban regime of the most basic and democratic human rights,” or their utter disregard for the aspirations of his own people, ”Menéndez said.

Shortly after the resolution was approved, Menéndez, one of the most influential senators in policy towards the island, delivered a speech in the Senate Chamber on Washington’s policy towards Cuba and questioned the current position of Spain, Canada and the European Union (EU).

Specifically, criticized Spain, Canada and the EU for not participating in a joint statement released two days ago by 21 countries, including the United States, Colombia, Guatemala, to condemn the arrests in Cuba and demand respect for human rights on the island.

“Does Spain care more about its hotel investments than the human rights of the Cuban people?? Do you care more about business on the island than about the freedom and democracy of the oppressed people? Asked Menéndez, who also addressed Canada saying, “Does Canada place more importance on its mining investments than on fundamental freedoms?” “.

– I hope not, he replied, these universal principles should unite us all.

Resolutions, like the one approved today on Cuba, are used by the US Congress to express its opinion on an issue.or, but they don’t require you to take specific action.

The July 11 protests came as Cuba was embroiled in a serious economic and health crisis, with the pandemic running out of control and a severe shortage of food, medicine and other basic items, as well as long power outages.

On the other hand, the Cuban activist Rosa Maria Paya criticized the members of the Organization of American States (OAS) who opposed the treatment of the crisis in Cuba within the framework of an extraordinary session which had been convened this Wednesday, but which had to be postponed before the objection “unusual“From some of its member countries.

“It is a shame for the nations of the Caribbean that it is precisely our closest neighbors who are serving the Cuban regime in its efforts to silence the serious violations being committed in our country.”said the director of the NGO Cuba Decide, who explained that at least 13 member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) “refused to listen to the experts of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on the situation. pressing on the island ”. .

(With information from EFE)

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