Biden: "Cuban Regime Should Listen to Public Sentiment Instead of Filling Their Own Pockets"

Largest Protest Since 1994... "We Support the Cuban People"
Also Seen as a Statement Aimed at Florida, Home to Many Cuban Americans

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. President Joe Biden issued a statement regarding the large-scale anti-government protests in Cuba, publicly condemning the Cuban dictatorship and expressing support for the protesters. President Biden’s public backing of the anti-government demonstrators, despite concerns about diplomatic friction with Cuba, is also interpreted as a political move targeting Florida, where many Cuban-Americans reside.

On the 12th (local time), ahead of an event addressing gun violence held at the White House, President Joe Biden held a press conference and released a statement about the large-scale anti-government protests that occurred in Cuba the previous day. President Biden said, "The Cuban people are demanding freedom from a dictatorship, and frankly, it seems we have not seen such protests in a long time. This is remarkable," adding, "We support the Cuban people and urge the Cuban government to refrain from attempts to silence the voices of its people and from violence."

President Biden then strongly criticized the Cuban regime. He stated, "The Cuban people seek freedom and relief from the oppression and economic hardship imposed by an authoritarian regime for decades," and pointed out, "The U.S. government calls on the Cuban regime to stop enriching itself and to meet the needs of its people at this critical moment and to listen to their voices."

The U.S. government also hinted at the possibility of direct intervention in relation to the protests and issued a strong warning to the Cuban government. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki emphasized, "We are evaluating ways to directly assist the Cuban people," and added, "Through support for democracy and human rights, we will empower the Cuban people to determine their own future."

The strong public criticism of the Cuban regime by President Biden and the U.S. government is seen as both support for the anti-government protests in Cuba and a move considering public sentiment in Florida, one of the battleground states in the last presidential election. According to CNN, Cuban-Americans in the U.S. are concentrated in Florida, and in the last election, many supported former President Donald Trump out of anger toward the Cuban communist regime.

Meanwhile, large-scale anti-government protests were held in Cuba the day before. This is the first large-scale anti-government protest in Cuba since 1994. The protests erupted as long-term economic difficulties and the COVID-19 situation overlapped, compounded by power outages in major cities including the capital Havana. Demonstrations continue in major cities such as Havana, Santiago, and Santa Clara.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.