AOC Blames U.S. Embargo For Cuban Protests, Florida Democrat Rejects Claim
Following Sunday's protest in Cuba, Democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been questioned over a communist regime that shares ideological roots with her platform, opposing the liberties and lifestyle of a capitalist America.
When asked about the failing Cuban government and its oppressive ruling, AOC caught the attention of Democrats and Republicans, most notably former Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, for blaming the U.S. in her response.
While opposing the majority of blatant human rights violations from Cuba's communist government, AOC's headline-grabbing excerpt came in the midst of blaming a U.S. embargo for the Cuban government's constraint on resources and personal liberties.
“The embargo is absurdly cruel and, like too many other US policies targeting Latin Americans, the cruelty is the point," said AOC. "I outright reject the Biden administration’s defense of the embargo. It is never acceptable for us to use cruelty as a point of leverage against every day people.”
Responding to the comments made Thursday, Rep. Mucarsel-Powell tweeted in opposition to AOC's shaming of the U.S., pointing out the faults and omissions from the Cuban communist dictatorship.
“No. This is not correct,” said Mucarsel-Powell. “It’s the failed policies of a communist regime that has violated human rights, imprisoned & killed dissidents.”
AOC's blaming of the embargo, in place since 1962, didn't give much attention to the American flags waved throughout the Cuban crowds on Sunday.
Repeating an anti-American sentiment that BLM made in response to the Cuban protests, AOC failed to fully condemn the communist regime in favor of identifying America as the oppressor. As AOC's radical rhetoric divides people, and figures within her political party, the left-wing agenda sees Cuba's government as more of a foundation for growth rather than an improbable governance over people seeking freedom.