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CHARLIE CRIST is the Democrat who will compete for the Florida governorship against Republican Ron DeSantis. He is a character who has expressed his affinity with the Castro regime in Cuba, especially when calling for the end of the embargo, despite the fact that his state is where most Cuban exiles reside.
Crist has made several political enemies, has served three consecutive terms in the House of Representatives at the age of 66, and is now running for governor once again. Florida Democratic officials and activists have criticized his candidacy for being “a relic of the past in a party that needs to look forward.”
Crist is at a disadvantage because Florida has become a Republican state. In fact, Joe Biden lost Florida in 2020, with Donald Trump winning by a wider margin than in the 2016 election.
But the Democratic candidate has repeatedly interceded on behalf of the Cuban regime, calling for an end to the trade embargo on the island’s tyranny. Crist has said that the United States must “end” the embargo and let freedom reign on the island.
Crist went so far as to say as a former Republican governor that he would only visit Cuba “when it’s free.” However, after taking office as a Democrat in 2014 he changed his perspective and commented that he wanted to go to Havana to learn from the Cuban people and help find opportunities for Florida businesses.
The Florida gubernatorial candidate seems to be unaware that there is no such freedom to set up some businesses or make progress on the island, and that most of the businesses that could be described as fruitful are linked to officials of the regime or members of the military wing.
Because of his stance on Cuba, Florida Republicans have been outraged, accusing him of betraying the Cuban community.
Charlie Crist’s convenient change of mind
During the 2006 election campaign, when he was elected governor with Republican and Cuban exile support, Crist harshly criticized the Cuban regime and even stated that he would never have commercial ties with the communist island, an issue that was on the political agenda at the time.
He even criticized his then challenger, Democrat Jim Davis, for having traveled to Cuba when he was a state legislator, precisely to explore trade options. On that occasion, Crist said that Davis should not have traveled there and that the best time would be when Cuba is free.
However, he is now crying out loud that the embargo must be ended, in line with Joe Biden policies, which recently decided to ease sanctions on the island.
In May, the State Department reported the reestablishment of commercial flights to several Cuban cities and suspended the US$1,000 per quarter limit on remittances.
“I am encouraged by the Biden Administration’s announcement today, and it is my hope that this will improve the quality of life for everyday Cubans on the island, while giving Cuban-Americans the freedom to visit, support, and reunite with their families. I look forward to continuing to engage the Administration, along with Cuban community leaders, to make sure that entrepreneurship dollars go to mamás y papás and not to companies run by the military establishment. If the Cuban people have alternatives to the communist regime for internet access and financial services, this could be a game changer for freedom and democracy in Cuba. ¡Patria y vida! ¡Cuba será libre!” Crist said in May following the Biden Administration’s announcement.
More proof of his support for Castroism
Crist picked his running mate over the weekend, United Teachers of Dade (UTD) teachers union head Karla Hernandez-Mats, who is embroiled in controversy for declaring war on Florida’s parents and previously claimed that Cubans mourned the death of Fidel Castro while exiles in Florida celebrated.
“A political figure dies at 90. Most in Miami rejoice, many in Cuba mourn Fidel Castro,” she tweeted on Nov. 26 of that year, in a message where Crist’s running mate appears to endorse the Cuban dictator’s legacy.
A political figure dies at 90. Most in Miami rejoice, many in Cuba mourn #FidelCastro
— Karla Hernández (@KarlaforFlorida) November 26, 2016
Sabrina Martín Rondon is a Venezuelan journalist. Her source is politics and economics. She is a specialist in corporate communications and is committed to the task of dismantling the supposed benefits of socialism // Sabrina Martín Rondon es periodista venezolana. Su fuente es la política y economía. Es especialista en comunicaciones corporativas y se ha comprometido con la tarea de desmontar las supuestas bondades del socialismo