WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) co-sponsored the Fighting Oppression Until the Reign of Castro Ends (FORCE) Act, legislation to stop President Biden from normalizing relations with Cuba until and unless freedom, democracy, and basic human rights are restored on the island. 

“America stands in solidarity with the freedom-loving people of Cuba as they bravely fight against communism, tyranny, and oppression,” said Rep. Owens. “I am proud to support the FORCE Act to hold this illegitimate, brutal dictatorship accountable by keeping Cuba the State Sponsor of Terrorism List until the terrible plague of communism has ended and democracy prevails.”

Specifically, the legislation prevents the Cuban communist regime from being removed from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List until they meet the requirements of Section 205 of the LIBERTAD Act (P.L. 104-114). Section 205 of the LIBERTAD Act requires Cuba to comply with the following conditions: 

1. Release all political prisoners and allow for investigations of Cuban prisons by appropriate international human rights organizations. 
2. Transition away from the Castro regime to a system that guarantees the rights of the Cuban people to express themselves freely. 
3. Commit to holding free and fair elections. 

The full text of the legislation is available here.

###