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Two weeks ago, Cuban agents were scheduled to meet with the U.S. Coast Guard and tour multiple facilities in the United States. As officials of a country designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, the presence of those Cuban intelligence operatives would have posed a direct threat to U.S. national security.    
 
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) took steps to prevent a similar situation from happening in the future. He introduced a bill to ensure State Sponsors of Terrorism and Terrorist Organizations are prohibited from engaging with the Secretary of Homeland Security through the International Port Security Program. Additionally, Rubio reintroduced two bills to push back against the Cuban regime’s repression: one legislation would prohibit Cuba’s removal from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List until there are free, fair, and democratic elections on the island and all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience are released; and the other legislation seeks to support internet freedom in Cuba.
 

• “It is beyond comprehension how the Biden Administration could be so naive. Inviting agents of a designated State Sponsor of Terrorism to tour our security facilities is dumb and dangerous. The Cuban dictatorship is an enemy of the U.S. and actively aids tyrants worldwide. If this administration doesn’t stand up to the criminal Cuban regime, I will.” — Senator Rubio

 
Rubio wrote an op-ed for The Miami Herald condemning the planned visit of Cuban Border Guard and Ministry of Foreign Affairs agents to the U.S. naval base and capital. 

• International Port Security Enforcement Act: The legislation would ensure that ports controlled by State Sponsors of Terrorism and Terrorist Organizations are automatically deemed as not having effective antiterrorism measures, through the International Port Security Program, and that the U.S. Coast Guard does not share our nation’s port security protocols with them. Rick Scott (R-FL) is a cosponsor.

• Fighting Oppression until the Reign of Castro Ends Act (FORCE) Act: First introduced in March 2021, the legislation would prevent President Joe Biden or Secretary Antony Blinken from removing Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List and lifting other Cuba-related sanctions. Under the FORCE Act, Cuba cannot be removed from the U.S. Department of State’s Sponsor of Terrorism list until the requirements under the LIBERTAD Act are met. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rick Scott (R-FL) are cosponsors.

• Protecting Against Tyrants by Restoring Internet Access and Yielding Vital Interconnectivity in Designated Areas (PATRIA Y VIDA) Act: First introduced in November 2021, the legislation would direct the federal government with building a strategy to protect internet freedom worldwide, as well as strengthen support for technologies that allow users to evade foreign government-backed censorship and restrictions. Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Rick Scott (R-FL) are cosponsors.

Want more information? See the links below. 

• March 2023: ICYMI: Rubio Condemns Cuban Agents’ Visit to U.S. Port
• February 2023: Rubio Demands Biden Administration Cancel Cuban Regime’s U.S. Visit