Washington, DC -- Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro.

“Raúl Castro should be held accountable for the murder of Americans over international waters. But this indictment looks less like a pursuit of justice and more like a pretext for escalation, potentially even an illegal invasion of Cuba.

“There is no military solution, and no amount of sanctions will bring about a better future for the Cuban people. If the Trump administration is serious about building a new relationship, as Secretary Rubio claims, it should work with Congress to reform the failed and draconian sanctions regime that has hampered the ability of administration after administration to negotiate a meaningful opening with the island.

“The administration must also end its senseless oil blockade, which is exacerbating the suffering of the Cuban people, plunging hospitals, homes, and private businesses into darkness. The only way to foster real change is to empower the Cuban people themselves, not by doubling down on a failed approach that punishes them while yielding no progress.” 

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