Florida House adopts measure denouncing China-Cuba ‘partnership’
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida House of Representatives adopted a memorial on Tuesday condemning the partnership between the Chinese Communist Party and Cuban government.
Rep. Juan Carlos-Porras, R-Miami, filed the measure, HM 351.
“This memorial addresses one of the most dire national security concerns not just in our state but in our country,” Porras said on the House floor. “Just 90 miles from our southern border, we have two of our country’s most historic enemies come fighting together to not just surveil, but increase military operations in the country of Cuba.”
HM 351 is centered around communism, which the bill states is a “political ideology and form of government by which the state owns the major resources in a society.”
It includes the control of property, production, education, agriculture and transportation.
Communism is practiced in China, Cuba, North Vietnam and Laos, the bill says. In particular, the U.S. has had a contentious relationship over the ideology with the Chinese and Cuban governments.
“The memorial urges the United States Secretary of State to condemn the Chinese Government for establishing a spy base in Cuba, taking aggressive steps to collect information about the United States Government and its citizens, and establishing a potential base for Chinese troops in Cuba,” it reads.
One of the figureheads of communism, Fidel Castro, ignited the ideology following the overthrow of the United States-backed Cuban government. The practice, in part, was fueled into the country by the former Soviet Union.
The United States reclassified Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism in January 2021, shortly before former President Donald Trump left office.
Chinese-U.S. relations have also been complicated since 1949. In particular, both nations have sparred on trade, climate change, and Taiwan in recent years.
Furthermore, actions intensified after the U.S. blew up a Chinese spy balloon over South Carolina in February 2023. In that period, China-Cuba relations have only solidified.
“Various news sources reported in June 2023 that China and Havana discussed setting up an electronic
surveillance facility in Cuba, but it was unclear whether China and Cuba had a formal agreement in place for the base,” the memorial states.
Sen. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah Gardens, filed a companion memorial.
The memorial would need to be passed by both legislative chambers, but does not require the governor’s approval nor is it subject to a veto.
