Sen. Rick Scott: Prince Charles’ Trip to Cuba Sends Wrong Message

February 21, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Senator Rick Scott received a response from Sir Alan Duncan, the British Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, regarding his February 8th letter to Prince Charles. Senator Scott urged Prince Charles to cancel his planned trip to Cuba and instead visit Florida to meet with dissidents who have fled the evil of the Castro Regime.

Sir Duncan wrote that “we believe that the best way to promote human rights and encourage a Cuba that fully respects fundamental freedoms is through practical diplomacy, such as with this visit.”

In response, Senator Scott released the following statement:

“Yesterday, I met with Nicolette Brent, the British Consul General in Miami, to discuss my letter urging Prince Charles to reconsider his trip to Cuba. He’s always welcome to visit Florida and meet with Cuban dissidents to discuss the horrors of the Castro Regime.

“In a response, the Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, a government official under Theresa May, defended the trip, calling it ‘practical diplomacy’ and ‘the best way to promote human rights.’ I reject that. In the same month Prime Minister May recognized Juan Guaidó as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, the British government also sanctioned this trip by the Royal Family to visit the Cuban Dictatorship propping up Nicolas Maduro. This makes no sense. And, Prince Charles should meet with dissidents in Florida or reach out to those in Cuba fighting for Democracy, like Luis Garcia Perez ‘Antunez’ or the Ladies in White.”

The full letter from Sir Alan Duncan is below:

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