[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CUBA'S SCAM TRANSITION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today, many around the world might 
herald what they call a transition of power in my native homeland of 
Cuba, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
  This sham transition is more smoke and mirrors--another ploy out of 
the Castro playbook. The reality is that Raul Castro will continue to 
maintain his grip on power. The reality is that the Cuban people will 
be no closer to freedom today than they were yesterday--no closer to 
democracy today than they were yesterday.
  The reality is that the murderous regime in Cuba will continue to 
oppress and will continue to abuse the people of Cuba.
  We are not fooled, Mr. Speaker, and U.S. law dictates that we do not 
recognize this so-called transition government or any successor 
government until certain conditions are met, conditions such as: all 
political prisoners be released; until free, fair, and transparent 
elections monitored by international observers are held; and until the 
Cuban people's human rights are respected.
  Until then, and only then, Mr. Speaker, we must continue to oppose 
this farce orchestrated by Castro and, instead, we must stand with the 
people of Cuba in their fight for freedom, democracy, and human rights.

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