Cruz, Rubio Slam Obama For Cuba Trip

Cruz, Rubio Slam Obama For Cuba Trip
VOA News
February 18, 2016 6:28 AM

Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio slammed
President Barack Obama for his reported plans to visit Cuba next month.

Speaking at a town hall Thursday in South Carolina, the presidential
hopefuls, who are both of Cuban descent, each said they would not visit
the Communist-run country.

"Not if it's not a free Cuba," said Rubio, the Florida senator whose
parents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1950s before Fidel Castro came to
power.

Rubio said the White House's historic thaw in ties with Cuba has not
resulted in any improvement in human rights. "The Cuban government
remains as oppressive as ever," he said.

Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas, said he also would not visit Cuba "as
long as the Castros are in power."

"I think it's a real mistake," said Cruz, whose father came from Cuba in
1957. "I think the president instead ought to be pushing for a free Cuba."

By going to Cuba now, Obama will "essentially act as an apologist," Cruz
added.

Hours before the town hall began, reports emerged that Obama will visit
Cuba next month as part of his efforts to normalize relations with Havana.

As part of that effort, Obama has used his executive authority to end
certain decades-long economic and travel restrictions on Cuba.

Obama, a Democrat, has called on the Republican-led U.S. Congress to
formally lift the trade embargo against Havana, saying it is ineffective
and harmful.

The issue is sharply divisive, but has not been a major issue on the
campaign trail for presidential candidates.

Source: Cruz, Rubio Slam Obama For Cuba Trip -
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