FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 29th, 2024
Miami, Florida (May 29, 2024) – In response to the Biden Administration’s decision to allow privately owned Cuban businesses to open U.S. bank accounts, the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC) released the following statement:
“The absence of the rule of law in Cuba means that these micro-enterprises operate without the protections, guarantees, or freedoms necessary for true economic prosperity. These businesses exist solely at the regime’s expense and can be shut down at any moment, creating a volatile and uncertain environment that undermines any potential for lasting change or destabilization of the regime. As reported by Cibercuba, Cuban was fired from a Mipyme for a tweet criticizing the government.
“This new U.S. policy would allow Cuban entrepreneurs to establish U.S. bank accounts and conduct authorized transactions, raising significant concerns. As the Miami Herald reported, these measures could potentially benefit regime higher-ups rather than ordinary citizens, who are unlikely to have the resources to navigate such complex financial arrangements. The risk is that only those with regime connections will exploit these opportunities, further entrenching the ruling elite’s power.
“The intentions of this policy change are questionable. Is the intention to challenge the regime’s control and empower citizens to demand more freedoms and reforms? Or is it merely to alleviate some economic hardship to reduce the number of Cubans fleeing the island, thus mitigating a political issue for the Biden administration related to illegal immigration? Our country’s approach towards Cuba should center on advancing democratic values and human rights, not politics. Intent matters and the FHRC is wary of policies that do not prioritize genuine democratic and human rights advancements.
“The Cuban regime, materially and spiritually bankrupt, is finally facing the consequences of its misrule. If the regime now allows formerly black-market activities to operate openly, U.S. policy should not intervene. Allowing these changes to proceed organically will force the regime to deal with their implications without external interference.
“The focus should be on supporting genuine efforts for democratic reform and human rights rather than providing the regime with potential lifelines that could prolong its oppressive rule.”
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About the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC)
The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was established in 1992 to promote a nonviolent transition to a democratic Cuba. The FHRC’s mission is to empower Cuban civil society to build a durable democracy that is free of human rights violations.
For more information, please contact: fhrc@deweysquare.com