Ashley Moody, Rick Scott back bill to increase sanctions against Cuba for human rights abuses

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is cosponsoring a bill to sanction Cuba for what she’s calling human rights abuses.

She’s cosponsoring the “Denying Earnings To the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus (DEMOCRACIA) Act” that seeks to punish the Cuban regime.

Moody’s fellow Republican, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, introduced the bill. The measure calls for increased economic sanctions and other financial pressure.

“The Communist Cuban regime continues to profit from the oppression of their people. In Florida, we know firsthand the cost of that tyranny through our Cuban-American community that carries the stories of families who fled persecution and continue pushing forward for liberty,” Moody said in a news release.

“The DEMOCRACIA Act cuts off these corrupt revenue streams and holds the dictatorship accountable. Through cosponsoring this bill, we are standing with these freedom fighters to ensure not a single U.S. dollar helps prop up this oppressive regime.”

Scott said Cuba continues to provide a destabilizing presence in this hemisphere.

“The Cuban regime props up ruthless dictators and allows a foothold in Latin America for Russia, Iran and Communist China to spread their influence,” Scott said.

“President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have already taken action to hold the Cuban regime accountable, including reversing (former President Joe) Biden’s dangerous decision to remove them from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List, but we must keep the pressure going. My DEMOCRACIA Act will build on their efforts by implementing severe sanctions against Communist Cuba and closes existing sanctions gaps.”

The legislation calls for authorizing the U.S. President to impose sanctions and block entry into the United States for those knowingly engaged in activity with the Cuban defense sector. That extends to other elements such as security or intelligence sectors and anyone who takes part in carrying out human rights abuses.

Economic sanctions can be executed against members of the Communist Party of Cuba, members of the Council of Ministers, Ministry of the Interior of Cuba, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, office of the President of Cuba and other members of the regime and their families.

The measure would also allow “the President to immediately use all means possible to provide unrestricted, reliable internet service to the people of Cuba that is not censored or blocked by the Cuban regime (and) requires the President to establish a taskforce to develop long-term solutions for providing reliable internet service to the people of Cuba that is not censored or blocked by the Cuban regime.”