Cuba – US room resolution passed in support of international protesters

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution on Wednesday (July 3) condemning the Cuban government’s “violent repression” and in support of protesters in Cuba who plan to take to the streets on July 11 and do so again on November 15.

The House approved 382 votes in favor and 40 votes against Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democratic congresswoman, backed by Florida Republican Mario Das-Ballard.

The majority of Republican lawmakers supported the move, urging members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), the Cuban Interior Ministry and the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) not to “arrest or detain peaceful protesters.”

It also urges Havana authorities to immediately release “all political prisoners and arbitrarily detained” detainees after the protests.

It also insists that Cuba does not restrict access to websites and all websites and applications “including during future demonstrations and peaceful protests.”

The text urges the government of President Joe Biden to find ways to allow remittances, medical supplies and other forms of humanitarian aid to benefit the Cuban people directly, “without providing US dollars to the Cuban military.”

Of the 40 Democrats who did not approve of the resolution, lawmakers Alexandria Ocacio-Cortes, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlip, Ayana Presley and Pramila Jayapal are known for their left-wing positions.

On Monday, a Cuban opposition group calling for a rally on November 15 announced that its members were being targeted by government repression, while officials accused their leaders of being US agents.

Charges include threats of dismissal, intimidation, police surveillance, house arrest and arbitrary detention.

The government of Miguel Doss-Canal has warned organizers that it could face criminal consequences if it continues to hold so-called demonstrations in Havana and the other six provinces of the island.

The resolutions of the US Congress are not bound by laws, but express the collective feeling of the legislators on an issue.

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