Free Republic

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) says he's glad that American "hostage" Alan Gross has been released from a Cuban prison after five years, but he opposes the process by which his release was secured -- "because it puts a price on every American abroad." "Governments now know that if they can take an American hostage, they can get very significant concessions from the United States." As part of the deal to free Gross, the United States will release three Cuban spies: "They're not just benign Cuban spies," Rubio -- the son of Cuban exiles -- told Fox News on Wednesday. "These...

After years in Cuban captivity, Alan Gross is free. But what has he come home to?

Cuba's Castro Brothers Get Big Present From Santa Obama Foreign Policy: Just as its patron Venezuela hit the rocks, Cuba got a last-minute rescue from none other than President Obama, who announced a Santa Claus-like package of wish-list goodies for the Castro brothers. Why? In many ways, President Obama's announced plan to normalize relations with Cuba, lift the embargo, extend trade credits and remove Cuba from the state sponsors of terror list is about on par with the rest of his foreign policy. It was done by executive order without consulting Congress, just like last month's decision to temporarily legalize...

"With new leaders in charge in both Washington and Havana, there have been numerous speculations about changes/improvements in U.S.-Cuba relations. For example, in December Raúl Castro floated the possibility of releasing from his gulag certain political prisoners in exchange for five Cuban spies convicted of spying, murder and other charges in the United States. The idea is a non-starter because there is no comparison between the so-called "Cuban Five," convicted in open American courts, and political prisoners, convicted without any semblance of due process, locked away in Castro's dungeons because of their opposition to his communist regime. But it did...

It's good that we live in a country where citizens feel free to criticize elected officials to their face. Just wondering, though: when was the last time that freedom was exercised on MSNBC to tell a Dem official that something he said was "inane?" On today's Morning Joe, Donny Deutsch angrily asked Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Miami "why do you say an inane thing like that?" Deutsch's diss came in the context of an exchange in which Diaz-Balart told Donny that his notion that the Cuba deal was "liberating" for the Cuban people was "naive." Deutsch later retaliated in...

President Obama declared yesterday the United States would begin a new chapter with Cuba. Obama already began negotiating with Cuba regarding a prisoner swap among with other issues. For years Obama has told Congress he would keep them in the loop regarding Cuba. Predictably Congress had no idea the Obama administration was negotiating with the Communist dictatorship. Yesterday’s announcement came as a surprise to everyone. As with every other negotiation with a hostile foreign power, Obama got completely taken by the Cuban Communists. Obama negotiates from a position of American weakness because he doesn’t believe in American strength. Obama’s flirtations...

President Barack Obama’s decision to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba may lead to more commercial opportunities for Americans within the island nation. But don’t expect U.S. oil producers to move swiftly to take advantage of them. Although geologists believe billions of barrels of crude may be lurking off Cuba’s coast in the Gulf of Mexico, oil companies have had a hard time finding that black gold. When Repsol, Petronas and other oil companies bored exploratory wells in 2012 and 2013, they turned up dry. In some cases, oil wasn’t found, and in others, the discovery was not...

Marco Rubio calls out pope on Cuba By Lauren French and Seung Min Kim | 12/17/14 2:14 PM EST | Updated 12/17/14 4:23 PM EST Sen. Marco Rubio, a Catholic, criticized Pope Francis on Wednesday after the pontiff played a key role in helping the United States and Cuba forge an agreement that resulted in the release of American Alan Gross from Cuba. Rubio said he would “ask His Holiness to take up the cause of freedom and democracy.” The Florida Republican said he didn’t criticize Francis’ personal appeals to help facilitate Gross’ release, but was speaking in response to...

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Local Cuban exiles in Little Havana Wednesday voiced their thoughts on President Barack Obama's announcement to re-establish relations with Cuba. The commander in chief's abrupt use of U.S. executive authority came after the release of American Alan Gross, who had been held in Cuba for five years, in exchange for three Cubans jailed in Florida. Wednesday afternoon, dozens gathered in front of Versailles restaurant off Southwest Eighth Street as soon as rumors of loosening restrictions surfaced. Cuban coffee was served with a side of political discourse as City of Miami Police officers were present to ensure decorum...

My cell phone has been going off for hours with messages and angry conversations with fellow Cuban-Americans and conservatives in the U.S. I hear this question over and over: what did the U.S. get out of this deal? The answer is nothing, unless you are one of those who believes that the Castro regime is about to reform the economy, allow an independent media, and hold multi-party elections. I have a unique perspective on this issue. I can address it as a Cuban-American and as a U.S. citizen. In other words, I want the best for those on the island...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) today released the following statement on President Obama’s plans to ease U.S. restrictions on Cuba and normalize diplomatic relations: “We agree with President Obama that he is writing new chapters in American foreign policy. Unfortunately, today’s chapter, like the others before it, is one of America and the values we stand for in retreat and decline. It is about the appeasement of autocratic dictators, thugs, and adversaries, diminishing America’s influence in the world. Is it any wonder that under President Obama’s watch our enemies are emboldened and our...

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, today released the following statement regarding the President’s announcement to change U.S. policy with Cuba and lift economic embargos. “We rejoice that Alan Gross’ wrongful imprisonment by the brutal Castro regime has finally come to an end, and that he will be able to spend the holidays with his loved ones. But make no mistake, although we are glad Alan is now free, the agreement the Obama Administration has entered into with the Castro regime has done nothing to resolve the underlying problem. Indeed, it has made it worse. “Fidel and Raul...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today issued the following statement regarding reports that President Obama is set to dramatically change U.S. policy toward Cuba following the release of Alan Gross, an American who was held hostage by the Castro regime in Cuba for five years:

(Reuters) - Senator Marco Rubio said on Wednesday he would "make every effort" to block moves by President Barack Obama toward normalizing relations with the Cuban government.

Is normalizing relations with Cuba a good idea? Yes. No. Not sure. We'll see how it plays out.

Church bells rang out Wednesday afternoon in Havana, marking a major moment in history -- Cuba and the United States are renewing diplomatic relations after decades of ice-cold tension. Word of the massive change was met with passionate opinions and some protests in the United States. And tearful celebrations erupted in the streets of the island after President Raul Castro announced the news in a televised address. SNIP In Miami, where the vast majority of the large population of Cuban exiles once fiercely opposed any change in the U.S. stance toward the island, reactions were split, largely along generational lines....

I'm European (Swedish) and won't interfer with whom you Americans elect for president, but I can tell you Obama doesn't enjoy the same degree of appreciation over here he did during the months that followed his famous act of Builder Bob-plagiarism. Okay, that was perhaps trifle disrespectful as he is your elected president, but I mean no harm. Just like the Swedish Chef never has offended anyone in my country I sincerely hope foreigners are allowed to make fun of Obama. At least on a site like this. Anyhow, recently, Obama has been expressing warm feelings towards Castro's idyllic little...

H.R.927 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (Enrolled Bill [Final as Passed Both House and Senate] - ENR) [....] SEC. 3. PURPOSES. The purposes of this Act are-- (1) to assist the Cuban people in regaining their freedom and prosperity, as well as in joining the community of democratic countries that are flourishing in the Western Hemisphere; (2) to strengthen international sanctions against the Castro government; (3) to provide for the continued national security of the United States in the face of continuing threats from the Castro government of terrorism, theft of property from United States nationals...

resident Obama announced plans to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba today, including opening an embassy in Cuba."We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests," Obama claimed, "And instead we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries."Specifically, the White House took three major steps today as part of their "New Course on Cuba": Initiating discussions to reestablish diplomatic relations, including a U.S. embassy in Havana, and a Cuban embassy in the United States.A review, by the State Department, of Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.Relaxing of regulations to facilitate the...

I first heard of this when John Podhoretz tweeted about it and I thought, “Nope, John’s exaggerating. I wonder what Shep really said.” Then a bunch of other people tweeted that Podhoretz was right, so I thought, “Okay, but obviously a joke.” Then I watched the clip. Actual quote about an honest to goodness police state, no apparent irony intended: “The last thing they need is a Taco Bell and a Lowe’s.” Two ways to read that, I guess. One is that he’s objecting to having the wrong priorities, not to American businesses invading the island. Cubans need basic necessities,...