Progressive Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) visited Cuba last week, a secret trip that angered several Republicans.
According to the Miami Herald, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairman Jayapal and Vice Chairman Omar led a delegation of more than a dozen people to the communist island.
Employees from the office of Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) were among the travelers. According to the outlet, It points out that the trip was not disclosed in advance by liberal lawmakers or reported in Cuban state media.
“Congressmen Jayapal and Congresswoman Omar traveled to Cuba last week to meet with members from across Cuba’s civil society and government officials to discuss human rights and the bilateral relationship between the United States and Cuba,” a spokesperson for the Progressive Caucus said. told the Miami Herald.
The mysterious trip, which took place during a week when the House of Representatives was in recess, also coincided with a visit to Havana by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was in Havana as part of a tour of Latin America that included stops in Venezuela and Brazil. .
Cuba has been under a U.S. trade embargo for more than 60 years.
Jayapal and Omar have both criticized the embargo and support legislation aimed at normalizing relations between the United States and Havana.
They were also among 40 House Democrats who voted against a resolution supporting peaceful demonstrations against the island’s communist government in 2021.
Several Republican lawmakers were displeased when they learned of the trip.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.): “All members of the media should refer to the Progressive Caucus by its more accurate name: the Congressional Communist Sympathy Caucus.” I wrote to X.
“It is outrageous for members of Congress to visit countries that imprison, abuse, and kill their citizens and support Iran, Russia, and Communist China against our interests,” she added.
“Perhaps their time is spent listening to the stories of Cubans risking their lives crossing the southern border on makeshift rafts to find out why they are fleeing communism.” It might be better spent.”
Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), a Cuban exile, suggested the trip was aimed at placating the communist regime.
“Cuba’s brutal dictatorship must be overthrown, not appeased.” Jimenez tweeted.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), the son of Cuban immigrants, similarly condemned the trip.
“Pro-Hamas members of the Marxist parliamentary team have just returned from a secret visit to Cuba, which is under an anti-American dictatorship.” he tweeted.
Jayapal last month called on the Biden administration to lift Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
“This listing has made Cuba nearly impossible to conduct international business, leading to an economic downturn and the displacement of its population,” she said. I wrote to X. “The time has come to re-engage with Cuba.”
