Cruz Blasts Biden for Removing Cuba's State Sponsor of Terrorism Status

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), has harshly criticized President Joe Biden's (D) outgoing administration as well as "Obama officials" after the Cuban regime was removed from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list. Sen. Cruz, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described this move as an attempt to "undermine" President-elect Donald Trump's (R) administration.

Moreover, the Texas senator also mentioned that this foreign policy results in "incredible damage" to national security for the United States of America.

“Obama-Biden officials are continuing their legacy of closing out administrations with rank appeasement of the Cuban regime. They push these policies both because they believe in them and to undermine the incoming Trump administration and Republican Congress," said Sen. Cruz. "These moves do incredible damage to American national security and send a message to our adversaries that they can rely on outgoing Democrat administrations – and wait out pressure from Republican administrations – to continue engaging in terrorism and other aggression against Americans."

Furthermore, Cruz also added that the decision from the Biden administration is "unacceptable on its merits" because the Cuban regime is still actively sponsoring terror.

“Today’s decision is unacceptable on its merits. The terrorism advanced by the Cuban regime has not ceased. I will work with President Trump and my colleagues to immediately reverse and limit the damage from the decision," concluded Cruz.

Furthermore, Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Ted Cruz recently reintroduced legislation upping the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Venezuelan dictator, Nicolas Maduro. The current maximum reward is $15 million, but it would increase to $100 million with the bill's passage.

The bill is known as the Securing Timely Opportunities for Payment and Maximizing Awards for Detaining Unlawful Regime Officials (STOP MADURO) Act. The reward money would not be sourced from taxpayer dollars, but rather from already-held seized assets from the Maduro regime. The U.S. Attorney's Office in South Florida has already confiscated $450 million.

Sen. Cruz mentioned that this legislation increases the pressure on Maduro in a "badly needed effort" for accountability.

“Nicolás Maduro is a corrupt dictator and thug. The STOP MADURO Act helps badly needed efforts to hold him and his regime accountable," said Sen. Cruz. "I’m proud to cosponsor this effort, and will continue to work with the incoming Trump administration and my colleagues in Congress on these issues.”