Two members of Oklahoma’s Congressional delegation have voiced their concerns after President Obama’s Wednesday announcement of steps to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba.
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) says he strongly opposes lifting the embargo against the Communist country. The state's senior Republican senator says he doesn't expect to see freedom of speech or free elections in Cuba, and said he would oppose any efforts to lift sanctions on the island nation if they come to the Senate floor.
“This will not bring about freedom from persecution to its people; it will not bring about freedom of speech or free elections; and it will not end the 50-plus years of the Castro brothers’ brutal dictatorship,” Inhofe said in a statement. “Instead, President Obama’s actions reward the Castro family, as Raul Castro has made no democratic concessions to the United States.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole says time doesn't change the past or the intentions of the regime led by Fidel and Raul Castro.
“Unless and until that nation shows promise of embracing democratic ideals and Communism is overthrown, it is dangerous and foolish to place trust in a country that has been designated by the State Department as a sponsor of terrorism,” Cole said in a statement.
But both lawmakers did praise the return of American Alan Gross.
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