U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: Don’t expect any changes in Cuba after fake transfer of power

The so-called retirement of Cuban dictator Raul Castro and the fake transfer of power to non-Castro communist apparatchik Miguel Diaz-Canel is quite a titillating event for the international media. And that is exactly what the apartheid Castro dictatorship wants. The retirement of the dictator and the naming of a new president is nothing more than Cuba’s version of kabuki theater played out for the media.

Nothing will change for the Cuban people, who after the performance is over, will continue to live in poverty, misery, and repression as slaves of the Castro family dictatorship. And for the media, it is just another excuse to ignore reality in Cuba and ensure they are not kicked off the island by the Castro regime.

Official statement from U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL):

Raul Castro’s Fake Transfer of Power in Communist Cuba Changes Nothing for the Cuban People, Says Ros-Lehtinen

“Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic does not mean that the Cuban people are any closer to freedom than they were yesterday”

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, made the following statement regarding Raul Castro’s fake transfer of power to his successor, Miguel Diaz-Canel. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“Those who know the reality of Communist Cuba know that this so-called transfer of power from one tyrant to another is no watershed moment. It is more smoke and mirrors from the dictatorship. Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic does not mean that the Cuban people are any closer to freedom than they were yesterday. The balance of power will remain in the hands of the communist dictatorship. Let us not be fooled:

• Raul Castro will still be calling the shots. Daily oppression of the Ladies in White and all pro-democracy advocates will continue;
• the regime will continue to harbor terrorists and fugitives from U.S. justice; and,
• Cuba will continue to threaten U.S. national security interests as it continues to expand its collaboration with the likes of Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela and other pariah states

U.S. law is clear – this does not meet the requirements of a transition government in Cuba. The Administration should not recognize this murderous regime until the basic requirements of Helms-Burton are met:

• All political prisoners must be released;
• free, fair and transparent elections monitored by international observers must take place; and
• the Cuban people’s fundamental human rights are being respected.

Until then, I will continue to support the Cuban people in their fight for freedom and democracy and will seek to hold the Castro regime – regardless of who is the ceremonial figurehead – accountable for its atrocious human rights abuses.”