MIAMI, United States. – Cuban-American congressman Carlos Giménez asked the directors of the country’s large airlines for the “immediate end” of all commercial flights to Cuba, alleging national security and public safety risks, as well as an economic benefit for the Cuban regime.
In both letters dated February 3, Giménez asked the CEO of American Airlines, Robert Isom, and the CEO of Delta Air Lines, Ed Bastian, to end commercial operations to the Island. In both letters, Giménez claims to act as chairman of the Transportation and Maritime Safety Subcommittee of the United States House of Representatives, and says he wrote “to express [su] deep concern” for the continuity of air service and “urge” to cancel “all flights” to Cuba.
The legislator links your request with the executive order signed by President Donald Trump on January 29, which declared a “national emergency” considering that the “Cuban dictatorship” poses an “unusual and extraordinary” threat to American security.
In his letters, Giménez also recalls that the Cuban Government is designated by the State Department as a “State sponsor of terrorism”, a designation that, he maintains, responds to a “long history” of supporting hostile actors, sheltering fugitives wanted by the United States and aligning with adversary governments that “actively undermine” Washington’s national security interests.
Giménez argues that maintaining “routine commercial air travel” to an “openly hostile” regime carries risks, pointing to “extensive” surveillance operations by Cuban intelligence and security services and a “documented history” of exploiting international travel and trade “for their own purposes.” These elements, he adds, raise concerns about passenger safety, information security and compliance with US law.
Along the same lines, the congressman maintains that commercial flights provide “hard currency” to the Cuban Government and that this money “directly” benefits the regime and its security apparatus, “not the Cuban people.” In his approach, the continuity of these operations “risks” legitimizing and financially supporting a Government that “represses” its citizens, “threatens regional stability” and acts “in direct opposition” to the security interests of the United States.
Giménez also invokes the Helms-Burton Law to maintain that the United States “cannot recognize or legitimize” the Cuban Government and that US policy must deny it “resources and legitimacy” until there is verifiable progress towards democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
In this framework, he warns that commercial air service contradicts the purpose of that law by providing financial benefit and “international credibility” to a Government that, he affirms, remains “entrenched” in repression and hostility towards both its population and the United States.
In his letters, the legislator also highlights his concern for the safety of travelers “at this critical juncture” and says he is open to a dialogue on how the private sector can align its operations with the country’s security interests.
Giménez, the only Cuban-born U.S. congressman, represents Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys. He was fire chief of the city of Miami and mayor of Miami-Dade.
