Progressive House members are facing criticism for a recent trip to Cuba that was not publicly disclosed. Representatives Ilhan Omar and Pramila Jayapal visited Havana last week, sparking controversy over their undisclosed visit. The trip, which was not reported by Cuban media, has drawn attention for its lack of transparency.
During their visit, Representative Omar called on President Biden to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. She argued that the designation is unwarranted and is causing further hardship for the Cuban people. The State Department clarified that they did not facilitate any meetings between the lawmakers and Cuban government officials.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus has defended the trip as a series of human rights discussions. However, critics point out that both Omar and Jayapal were among the 40 Democrats who voted against a 2021 resolution supporting Cuban protesters demanding an end to government repression.
According to the State Department, over 700 individuals in Cuba remain imprisoned for advocating for basic freedoms. Congressman Carlos Jimenez, who was born in Cuba, expressed his disappointment with the lawmakers' visit, stating his lack of support for the Cuban government and those who defend it.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries revealed that he had not yet received a briefing on the trip and refrained from commenting until he had more information. The lack of transparency surrounding the visit has raised concerns among both Democrats and Republicans, with some questioning the motives behind the trip.
