North Miami-Dade News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) convened a hearing to address the perceived threat of socialism in Central America and the Caribbean. The hearing took place ahead of the annual left-wing conference Foro de São Paulo in Honduras.

"As Latin America’s socialists descend on Tegucigalpa to discuss their plans to continue destroying our hemisphere, Salazar sounded the alarm on the protection of liberty and democracy in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Honduras," stated Chairwoman Salazar. "Across Central America and the Caribbean, the Biden Administration is sending the message that the socialists in the Western Hemisphere can mess with democratic institutions and get away with it," she added. "It’s time to support genuine liberty in these countries as the shining city on the hill that the United States is."

Chairwoman Salazar highlighted three examples where she believes socialist governments are undermining democracy: Cuba, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

On Cuba, Salazar questioned Eric Jacobstein, a top State Department official for Central America and Cuba, about potential plans by the Biden Administration to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List. Jacobstein denied any current review process but did not rule out its possibility in the future.

Salazar also raised concerns about a new app developed by one of the State Department’s offices aimed at providing internet access to Cubans even if state-owned telecommunications agency ETECSA shuts down service. Jacobstein acknowledged support for internet access but was unaware of specific details regarding this app.

Regarding Honduras, Salazar questioned decisions made by President Xiomara Castro since taking office. These included allowing 100 Cuban doctors who work under alleged slave-like conditions against public protests, awarding Nicolás Maduro with an honorific title, and establishing Chávez-like colectivos to enforce her ideology. She pressed Jacobstein on when a delayed State Department report on Honduran democracy would be published and reminded him that officials involved in trafficking Cuban doctors must have their American visas canceled by law.

Jacobstein assured Chairwoman Salazar he would relay her suggestions back to his department and confirmed that a report was forthcoming. He also expressed openness to considering visa cancellations for Honduran officials implicated in human trafficking.

Lastly, concerning Nicaragua, Rep. Salazar discussed allegations against President Daniel Ortega's regime facilitating flights for individuals intending to cross into the United States illegally. This included eight Tajikistani members of ISIS apprehended after crossing through Managua into U.S territory. She questioned whether this could justify adding Nicaragua to the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.

Jacobstein responded that while sharing Congresswoman's concerns, sanctions had already been initiated against Nicaraguan entities involved in these activities. He expressed willingness to collaborate further with her office on addressing this national security issue.

To watch Congresswoman Salazar’s line of questioning [click here](#).