DeSantis Says Biden Should Stop ‘Kowtowing to Dictators’ After More Flights to Cuba Approved

By Lydia Nusbaum

Published Jul. 14, 2022, 3:12 p.m. ET | Updated Jul. 14, 2022

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaking with attendees at the 2021 Student Action Summit hosted by Turning Point USA at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla. (Photo/Gage Skidmore).

July 14, 2022 Updated 3:11 P.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis said the Biden Administration’s decision to allow more flights into Cuba will “enrich” the communist dictators.

U.S. officials approved a request by American Airlines to resume flights from Miami to Santa Clara, Varadero, Holguin, Camaguey and Santiago de Cuba.

“The Biden Administration’s decision to allow more flights into Cuba will only enrich the pockets of the communist dictators who have trampled on the rights of Cubans for decades,” DeSantis said Thursday. “Biden should stop kowtowing to dictators throughout our hemisphere and start standing for freedom.”

The Biden Administration’s decision to allow more flights into Cuba will only enrich the pockets of the communist dictators who have trampled on the rights of Cubans for decades.

Biden should stop kowtowing to dictators throughout our hemisphere and start standing for freedom.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) July 14, 2022

The Biden Administration said earlier this year it would expand flights to Cuba, loosen restrictions on U.S. travelers to the island, and lift restrictions on remittances that immigrants can send to people on the island.

The Biden Administration said these changes would provide the Cuban people “additional tools to pursue a life free from Cuban government oppression.”

“With these actions, we aim to support Cubans’ aspirations for freedom and for greater economic opportunities so that they can lead successful lives at home,” the Biden Administration has said.

However, Florida Republicans have criticized the move, claiming it would empower the “oppressive regime.”

Cubans took to the streets in mass a year ago to protest the Communist Party government and call for freedom. The demonstrations a year ago were the largest anti-government protests to take place in Cuba since the 1959 revolution started.

U.S. Senator Rick Scott, R-Florida, recounted the communist regime’s crackdown on the freedom movement with mass jailing, beatings, and murder.

“While some ran forward to stand with the Cuban people and support their movement for democracy, Joe Biden fell silent. President Biden’s refusal to stand up for democracy in Cuba is nothing but shameful weakness and a stain on the integrity of the office he holds,” Scott said.