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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, introduced a bipartisan resolution (S.Res.81) honoring Las Damas de Blanco, a women-led peaceful nonviolent movement that supports freedom and human rights in Cuba and actively urges the release of all political prisoners in Cuba. These courageous women, who offer a voice to Cuba’s voiceless, gather and march peacefully through the streets of Havana with gladiolus flowers in hand, defying the dictatorship’s constant attacks on their nonviolent exercise of freedom of speech and assembly.
Rubio and Menendez were joined by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Rick Scott (R-FL) in introducing this bipartisan resolution.
“As we observe Women’s History Month, I am proud to once again lead this bipartisan resolution honoring the legacy of Las Damas de Blanco,” Rubio said. “Living under the Castro and Díaz-Canel repressive apparatus, these brave women have led one of Cuba’s most important peaceful civic movements. As we continue to witness the despotic nature of this criminal regime, we must continue to raise the voices of the island’s dissidents. As a Cuban-American, I remain committed to echoing the Damas de Blanco’s demands for basic freedoms and true justice.”
“At a moment of renewed civic activism in Cuba, this resolution stands in solidarity with all Cubans who seek democratic change in their country and recognizes the historic efforts of the Damas de Blanco to defend human rights. In the face of relentless persecution, wrongful imprisonment, and state-sanctioned violence, the unflinching commitment of the Damas de Blanco to the cause of democracy in Cuba is nothing short of heroic,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez said. “As Cuba’s citizens are increasingly raising their voices against the lack of basic freedoms and social justice on the island, this bipartisan resolution reaffirms our commitment to make the Cuban people’s aspirations a central element of our policy towards Havana.”
“This bipartisan resolution signals the unwavering and continuing support of the American people for the Ladies in White, who march peacefully to fight against the continuing injustices of communism and the Cuban regime,” Cruz said. “I am proud to stand with them, and to continue to work to hold accountable those in the regime who use murder and torture to deny the people of Cuba the freedom they deserve.”
“I’m honored to join my colleagues today to re-introduce the Damas de Blanco Resolution to recognize the courageous women who have stood up against the oppressive Castro regime for almost two decades,” Scott said. These women are an inspiration to everyone fighting for human rights, freedom and democracy. The U.S. will continue to support them and all who oppose communist tyrants in Cuba, Venezuela and around the world.”
“For years, Las Damas de Blanco, also known as the Ladies in White, have tirelessly voiced their desire for the Cuban government to grant more freedoms not only for their loved ones who have been wrongfully detained, but also for Cubans across the island,” Cardin said. “I am proud to support this bipartisan resolution. The United States applauds their bravery and stands in solidarity with those who advocate for human rights in Cuba.”
Rubio is the Ranking Member and Cardin is a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues.
RUBIO, MENENDEZ, COLEGAS PRESENTAN RESOLUCIÓN EN HONOR A LAS DAMAS DE BLANCO
Washington, D.C. — Los senadores estadounidenses Marco Rubio (R-FL) y Bob Menendez (D-NJ), presidente del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado, presentaron una resolución (S.Res.81) bipartidista en honor a Las Damas de Blanco, un movimiento pacífico liderado por mujeres que apoya la libertad y la defensa de los DDHH. en Cuba e insta activamente a la liberación de todos los presos políticos en Cuba. Estas valientes mujeres, que le dan voz a los cubanos que no la tienen, marchan pacíficamente por las calles de La Habana con gladiolos en la mano. Ellas desafían los constantes ataques por parte de la dictadura cubana a su ejercicio pacifico de la libertad de expresión.
Rubio y Menéndez fueron acompañados por los senadores Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ben Cardin (D-MD) y Rick Scott (R-FL) para introducir esta resolución bipartidista.
“Al celebrar el mes de la historia de la mujer, me enorgullece liderar una vez más esta resolución bipartidista que honra el legado de Las Damas de Blanco”, Rubio dijo. “Viviendo bajo el aparato represivo de Castro y Díaz-Canel, estas valientes mujeres han liderado uno de los movimientos cívicos y pacíficos más importantes de Cuba. Mientras seguimos siendo testigos de la naturaleza criminal de este régimen déspota, debemos seguir haciéndole eco a la voz de los disidentes en la isla. Como cubano-americano, sigo comprometido en apoyar las exigencias de Las Damas de Blanco de tener libertades básicas y una justicia verdadera”.
“Durante un momento de creciente activismo cívico en Cuba, esta resolución bipartidista expresa nuestra solidaridad total con el pueblo cubano que busca un cambio en su país y reconoce los esfuerzos históricos de las Damas de Blanco en defender los derechos humanos en la isla. Ante la persecución implacable, el encarcelamiento injusto y sobre todo la violencia sancionada por el régimen, el compromiso inquebrantable de las Damas de Blanca a la causa de la democracia en Cuba es verdaderamente heroico”, el Senador Menéndez dijo. “A medida que el pueblo cubano continúa alzando su voz contra la falta de libertades básicas y la injusticia social en la isla, esta resolución bipartidista afirma nuestro compromiso de hacer las aspiraciones del pueblo cubano una piedra angular de nuestra política hacia la Habana”.
“Me siento honrado de unirme a mis colegas hoy para volver a presentar la Resolución Damas de Blanco para reconocer a estas valientes mujeres que se han enfrentado al régimen Castrista durante casi dos décadas,” Scott dijo. “Estas mujeres son una inspiración para todos los que luchan por los derechos humanos, la libertad y la democracia. Los Estados Unidos continuarán apoyando a todos los que se oponen a los tiranos comunistas en Cuba, Venezuela y en todo el mundo”.
Rubio es el Miembro de Más Alto Rango y Cardin Miembro Senior del Subcomité sobre Hemisferio Occidental, Crimen Transnacional, Seguridad Civil, Democracia, Derechos Humanos y Asuntos Globales de la Mujer.