WASHINGTON—Representative Scott Franklin (FL-15) issued the following statement to express solidarity with the Cuban people in their fight for freedom:

“Once again, Cuba’s Communist regime showed the world that it will do whatever it takes to silence dissent and suppress the rights of the Cuban people. This summer, thousands of brave Cubans took to the streets to protest more than 60 years of human rights abuses by the Castro regime. After a brutal crackdown, these brave souls again attempted to take to the streets on November 15^th to demand their freedom. Sadly, the regime decided to stop these efforts ahead of time by pre-emptively targeting leaders and organizers of the protest movement. As freedom-loving Americans, we cannot stand idly by as the Communist regime continues to deprive our Cuban friends of their God-given liberties. In response to the regime’s actions, I co-sponsored the FORCE act, which prevents the Castro dictatorship from being removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list until they meet certain conditions regarding human rights. I join my Florida colleague Rep. Maria Elvira-Salazar in calling for the Biden Administration to work with technology companies to provide internet access to Cubans so that they can tell the world about their struggle for freedom. I stand in solidarity with the Cuban people who are bravely fighting against tyranny and oppression. The time for freedom and democracy is now.”