Miami, FL – Today, Rep. María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) sent President Biden a letter urging him to listen to clear and repeated calls from the Cuban exile community to not invite the murderous Diaz-Canel/Castro regime to the upcoming Summit of the Americas. This followed media reports that his administration is considering extending invitations to representatives of the regime in Havana. In the letter, Rep. Salazar reminded the administration that their own State Department still considers Cuba a State Sponsor of Terror who engages in human trafficking and that it there is still time to make the right decision on behalf of democracy and human rights. The Congresswoman also demanded the President stop empowering dictators and ignoring democratic allies in Latin America. Read the full text of the letter for attribution to Rep. María Elvira Salazar below or here. Letter: May 20th, 2022 The Honorable Joseph R. Biden President of the United States of America The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Biden, The United States’ leadership role in promoting democracy and human rights is at stake under your watch. You must stop empowering dictators and ignoring our democratic allies in Latin America. The Summit of the Americas has not even started yet and it is already being characterized as a disaster. With the Summit only weeks away, there is chaos and confusion surrounding the planning and guest list. At a recent Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, the State Department told me that you are in charge of the invitation list for the Summit. Today, we are hearing you are inviting the Cuban Regime to the Summit. This is unacceptable to the Cuban exile community, which you have systematically ignored throughout your Presidency. How can you invite the Cuban Regime when your own State Department says they are a State Sponsor of Terror and engage in human trafficking? It is clear you are relying on the bad advice of your Special Advisor for the Summit of the Americas, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, and Special Assistant Juan Gonzalez, instead of consulting with professionals. It’s not too late. Do the right thing and ensure dictatorships like Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela do not attend the Summit of the Americas. Sincerely, María Elvira Salazar Member of Congress
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