U.S. embargo is necessary At this time, when the democratic opposition within Cuba is acquiring greater strength and showing extraordinary political maturity, I believe it is important to remember the reasons for the existence of the U.S. embargo and the three conditions for its lifting.When I arrived in the U.S. Congress in January 1993, I was able to confirm that U.S. law did not prohibit trade … [Read more...]

"We need a President who will stand up today and say: Mr. Castro, let the Cuban people go. Mr. Castro, open up the ballot box. Mr. Castro, empty the jails. Mr. Castro, allow free speech and let freedom glisten," said U.S. Senator Ted Cruz. On Friday, March 8th, 2013, the U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC honored history's four Cuban-American U.S. Senators: Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), … [Read more...]

In this video commentary, I discuss why John Kerry should not be confirmed as Secretary of State.  Tune in! … [Read more...]

Much of the focus on Chuck Hagel’s record has been on his views on Israel, Iran and sequestration. Equally troubling to those who have taken a forceful stand against Castro’s dictatorship in Cuba, however, has been his dismissive attitude toward the Castros  and his enthusiasm to end the U.S. embargo with no quid pro quo. Cuban dictator Fidel Castro (Javier Galeano/Associated … [Read more...]

Unfortunately, too many times at these events, speakers tend to hype and cherry-coat business opportunities in Cuba, disregarding some of the unpleasant economic and political realities involved. The following are remarks made by:  Mauricio Claver-Carone at World Trade Center Orlando recently. …Cuba and U.S. policy towards Cuba -- including the issue of trade -- are topics of great … [Read more...]

HAVANA — Cuban authorities are scrambling to contain a cholera outbreak that has sickened dozens of people in Havana, the capital city of 2.2 million residents and a popular tourism destination. In a brief communique issued on Tuesday, the Health Ministry said the outbreak was first detected on Jan. 6, and was being contained. "Fifty-one cases have been confirmed to date," the statement … [Read more...]

Chuck Hagel would not be the first, second, or third choice for the American Jewish or Cuban communities. In 2002, then-Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel was the only member of the United States Congress to receive a special invitation from former President Jimmy Carter to join him on a trip to Cuba.  Mr. Hagel chose not to go, citing scheduling conflicts and concerns over the optics of such a … [Read more...]

During a recent trip to Key West, I was fortunate to snap a couple of pics of the old Cuban embassy that was recently restored after it was severely damaged in a fire several years back.  While appreciating the embassy’s historical value, I began to think about the extent of how much Cuba-U.S relations have suffered since the beginning of Fidel Castro’s repressive regime. Today, the … [Read more...]

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency kicked off its celebration of "Hispanic Heritage Month" with an e-mail message featuring Che Guevara along with his famous slogan, "Hasta la Victoria Siempre." Let's hope these U.S. civil servants were innocently unaware of some of Che Guevara's other slogans: * "The U.S. is the great enemy of mankind!" * "Against those hyenas [Americans] … [Read more...]

Pete Rustan, Acclaimed Scientist In a Top-Secret World Pete Rustan, who escaped Cuba at age 20, was an Air Force colonel, and did research for the CIA, NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office, among other government agencies, has died at age 65. Pete Rustan once devised a way to keep Air Force planes from being damaged by lightning. He led a project to build a spacecraft that performed … [Read more...]

When Ozzie Guillen was hired as the manager of the new-fangled Miami Marlins, I cringed. I already knew he was playing kissy-kissy with Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's dictator in training at Havana U. I had decided to keep my distance from the Marlins already as I - in good conscious - was hesitant to support a person that admired and is honored to stand with a tin-plated socio-marxist wart … [Read more...]

This time around, the leader of the Catholic Church ought not legitimize the Communist regime and ignore the pleas of domestic and exiled Cubans who pray for freedom. While Pope Benedict XVI is unlikely to change Raúl Castro he can seize the opportunity to reach out to Cubans who are hungry for profound religious and spiritual leadership. His presence in the country will hopefully offer a … [Read more...]

Last week the media was flush with stories on the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. “embargo” of Cuba. From the New York Times to USA Today, most are running AP and Reuters stories (from Havana)  which begin and end with quotes from “academic experts” deploring the “embargo” as “failed,” “archaic,”  “cruel,” … [Read more...]

Margaret Thatcher once said, “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.” During my week in Cuba, I saw firsthand the truth of her case. Havana, a once-glorious architectural gem, is falling down — literally. Much of the central city is crumbling and building collapses are common because there is no maintenance. Many people live … [Read more...]

In the Age of Obama, we hear more about government seeking informants and snitches (i.e., Obama’s snitch website or Obama’s White House seeking email informants). This is nothing new. Big-government ideologues have historically created snitch brigades to control their citizens. Meet the CDRs.   Castro’s neighborhood snitch groups: The Committees for … [Read more...]

“I still have my Che Guevara poster. Che Guevara was a freedom fighter.” (Bob Beckel on FoxNews’ “The Five” Sept. 5th) If Bob Beckel’s “freedom-fighter” had been allowed his fondest bit of “freedom-fighting” Bob Beckel’s incinerated remains would fit in a gin bottle today. “America is the great enemy of mankind! Against … [Read more...]

“Let’s overlook President Obama’s failures during his first term,” advised Raul Castro’s daughter Mariela to Congresspersons Barbara Lee, Lynn Woolsey and Sam Farr recently in Havana. “We must support him for a second term so that he can have a better opportunity to accomplish better things.” While being feted by a Stalinist regime that shoots and … [Read more...]

19 U.S. Organizations of Cuban and South American Exiles and Tea Parties Request the Immediate Cancelation of the US-Cuba Cultural Exchange The Castro regime has one of the most sophisticated and efficient intelligence apparatuses in the world. The Cuban dictatorship received training from the former USSR, and while the cold war may be over, the Castro regime continues pouring large amounts … [Read more...]