Cuba President Miguel Diaz-Canel Meets With Democrats in Havana

Several House Democrats went to Havana, Cuba, for high-level talks with the Communist island nation's President Miguel Diaz-Canel. The American lawmakers who went to Cuba were Representatives James McGovern (D-MA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Troy Carter (D-LA).

The U.S. Embassy in Cuba told the Associated Press on Sunday that the congressmen also met with other Cuban politicians, including its foreign minister and members of its own Congress. However, they only revealed a few details about the meeting.

Diaz-Canel and Cuba's Congress tweeted photos of the recent meetings. In his tweet, the Cuban president said: "We addressed our differences and topics of shared interest. We affirmed our willingness to improve bilateral relations."

Diaz-Canel further noted that he expressed to the American lawmakers that the U.S. should end its six-decade trade embargo on the island.

Biden Administration Talks to Cuba About Migration as Thousands of Cubans Arrive at U.S.-Mexico Border

According to ABC News, migration is one of the topics the U.S. has been trying to discuss with Cuba recently.

In fact, for the last few months, the United States has sent multiple delegations to the island nation to talk about migration issues in an effort to slow down the number of Cuban migrants coming into the U.S.

Cuba is currently facing a mass exodus of its citizens as it faces massive economic and energy-related crises. Many attribute the problems to the ongoing trade embargo by the U.S.

Cubans have tried to get into the U.S. either through the U.S.-Mexico border or via makeshift rafts, sailing across dangerous waters to make it to Florida. Many Cubans also packed boats from illegal human smugglers as they sought to escape their country.

Cubans have already replaced Venezuelans as the second most numerous nationality arriving at the border in October after Mexicans. The recent meetings showed that tensions between the U.S. and Cuba were gradually easing.

The Obama administration previously eased some sanctions against Cuba but tightened again under the Trump administration. With President Joe Biden, the U.S. is now seeking to ease the relationship once again in order to help curb migration.

Joe Biden Criticizes Cuba's Human Rights Record, Calls for Release of Political Prisoners

While his administration tries to work with Cuba on migration, Joe Biden called on its government to uphold human rights as the Cuban government intensifies its crackdown on dissent.

The meeting with the Democratic lawmakers came just a few weeks before the U.S. plans to resume visa and consular services in Cuba. However, this does not mean that the U.S. can ignore the country's myriad of human rights abuses.

"I once again call for the release of the hundreds of political prisoners in Cuba who remain in detention following the July 11, 2021 protests," said Biden in a statement released via the official White House website last month.

He added: "The United States stands with the Cuban people as they stand up for their human rights and a say in the future of Cuba."

Biden issued the statement a few days after the Cuban government passed a new criminal code, which established new criminal categories for things such as digital offenses. It states that those who spread any information deemed false by the government could face up to two years in prison.

Human rights activists warned that the law increases the minimum penalties and prison sentences for various crimes, including "public disorder," "resistance," and "insulting national symbols." Activists noted that these laws will clamp down on free speech, which is already being repressed in the island nation.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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