‘Sinking the Democratic Party’: Biden’s Cuba move spurs rare bipartisan condemnation in key electoral state

President Biden’s recent proclamation removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism has sparked controversy in Florida, particularly among Democrats in the state. The decision, which came after Biden certified that the Cuban government had not supported international terrorism in the past six months and had provided assurances that it would not do so in the future, has led to strong reactions from Democratic leaders in Florida.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat from Broward County, criticized Biden for the decision, stating that it was damaging the Democratic Party in Florida. He expressed concern that the move could further shift the state towards the Republican Party, which has been gaining ground in recent years. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, scored a significant victory in the 2022 election, and former President Trump made unexpected gains in Miami-Dade County in 2024, a traditionally Democratic stronghold with a large Cuban-American population.

Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried also voiced disappointment over the decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. She called on the Biden administration to reverse course and maintain economic sanctions against Cuba, citing the oppressive history of the Castro regime and the lack of democratic freedoms in the country.

The decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism has also drawn criticism from Cuban-American lawmakers in Florida. Sen. Marco Rubio, whose confirmation hearing coincided with the announcement, has been a vocal opponent of the move. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, the only Cuban-born member of Congress from Florida, called Biden a “pathetic coward” for the decision and warned of the regime’s close ties to other authoritarian governments in the region.

Despite the backlash from Democrats and Cuban-American lawmakers, Biden defended his decision, citing Cuba’s pledge to release political prisoners and assurances that it would not support terrorism in the future. However, the move has raised concerns about the administration’s approach to foreign policy and its impact on relations with Cuba and other countries in the region.

As the debate continues, Florida Democrats are grappling with the fallout from Biden’s decision and the implications for the party’s future in the state. Some Democratic officials have expressed frustration with the administration’s actions and have even switched parties in response to what they see as a shift away from their values. The political landscape in Florida remains in flux, with the fallout from Biden’s decision likely to have lasting repercussions for both parties in the state.