Wasserman Schultz Statement on Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro

(Washington, DC)  —  Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Weston) released the following statement in response to Cuban dictator Fidel Castro’s announcement that he will not “seek the position of President of the Council of State and Commander in Chief.”:

“The announcement by Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro that he will not seek the position of President of the Council of State and Commander in Chief represents a historic opportunity for the next generation of Cuban leadership. They should embrace the world community by releasing political prisoners, holding free and democratic elections and allowing for the full participation of political parties and unions. Only then can they expect a return embrace in the form of easing sanctions. A relationship with the community of nations must be earned through meaningful reform.

“The embargo was put in place because of the policies enacted by the Cuban dictatorship. If the policies of political oppression and human rights abuses outlive Fidel, there is no cause for celebration and certainly no cause to revise American foreign policy.

“More than 70 percent of Cuba’s 11 million people were born after Castro took power and have known only Castro’s repressive rule. My thoughts are with the Cuban people, both abroad and here at home. I hope that this development will be an important step on their journey to freedom and democracy.”