U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., still has concerns about the Obama administration normalizing diplomatic relations with Cuba, and wrote a letter to the U.S. State Department on prioritizing specific topics when having talks with the island.

"Despite more than five months of discussions with the Cuban government, I am very concerned about the lack of political reforms, and progress on human rights; the continued harboring of known terrorists and other fugitives from U.S. justice; the outstanding American property claims and judgments against the Cuban government; and the limitations that continue to be placed on American diplomats working in Havana," wrote Rubio in a statement.

Rubio said if the Obama administration can discuss the aforementioned topics, then the U.S. "can leverage" the idea of improving diplomatic relations with Cuba. Rubio, however, remained firm to work with colleagues to block the Obama administration's efforts to pursue diplomatic relations with Cuba, and the potential gridlock includes the nomination process of the next U.S. ambassador to Cuba.

"I hope to see a free and democratic Cuba, but that means we must confront the authoritarian Castro regime that suppresses its own people, not acquiesce to their demands. It is important for the United States to continue being a beacon of freedom for the Cuban people," Rubio wrote in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry.

One of Rubio's four target areas is the limitation placed on U.S. diplomats traveling across Cuba. Rubio said diplomats must have the right to travel outside of Havana without the needs of a special request in order to meet with pro-democracy groups.

Rubio wrote, "Our diplomatic personnel deserve to feel that they are safe and secure in our embassy, and that our diplomatically sensitive shipments are free from Cuban intelligence services interception. We must also demand complete control over which Cuban nationals are hired to work at any U.S. facility."

While the Obama administration removed Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list, diplomatic talks are still underway regarding the reopening of embassies, and those discussions included the limits of U.S. diplomats traveling on the island.

According to State Department spokesperson Jeff Rathke, the review of removing Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism is a different discussion and not parallel with the ongoing diplomatic talks.

"We've said consistently and it remains our view that these are separate processes. This decision was based on the facts and a thorough review, which the President ordered and which the State Department carried out in consultation with others," said Rathke during a daily briefing, noting the State Sponsor of Terrorism debate is "not a subject of negotiation."

Meanwhile, House Republicans have presented a 2016 State Department funding bill with a provision to block funds for a U.S. embassy in Cuba. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Cuban-American, who has been against the Obama administration's diplomatic efforts with Cuba, is one of the sponsors the bill. In addition, the bill includes provisions limiting travel and exports to the island.

The legislation, released by the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, stated, "The bill includes a prohibition on funds for an embassy or other diplomatic facility in Cuba, beyond what was in existence prior to the president's December announcement proposing changes to the U.S.-Cuba policy."

"It also restricts funds to facilitate the opening of a Cuban embassy in the U.S., increases democracy assistance and international broadcasting to Cuba, and provides direction to the Secretary of State on denying the issuance of visas to members of the Cuban military and the Communist party," concluded the provision on Cuba.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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