Miami conference urges suspension of flights, remittances and licenses to pressure Cuba

MIAMI — U.S. congressional allies and Miami area elected officials told a packed press conference organized by the Assembly of the Cuban Democratic Directorate and the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance that the United States and local governments should take immediate steps to reduce revenue to Cuba’s government.

Congressman Carlos Jiménez, appearing at the podium, urged cutting flights and remittances to Cuba, saying, “Todo dinero que recibe la dictadura cubana lo único que hace es alargar el plazo de la caída de la dictadura.” He described those measures as painful for families but argued they would hasten political change on the island.

The conference also featured a legislative briefing from Congressman Mario Díaz Ballar, who described a package he said the House approved that is designed to tighten U.S. policy toward governments that, in his words, "traffic" Cuban professionals. “El requisito de negarle las visas a países que trafican con médicos cubanos,” Díaz Ballar said, and he added that countries found to be complicit could lose U.S. assistance.

Why it matters: Speakers framed the proposals as an urgent response to what they described as an accelerating crisis in Cuba. The conference combined local political pressure — including calls from Miami‑Dade and city commissioners to suspend business licenses and block commercial ties — with federal legislative steps they said would add sanctions and visa restrictions.

Details and claims: The event’s moderators cited a Financial Times report quoting Kepler analytics that, they said, indicates Cuba has only about "15 y 20 días" of oil reserves at current demand, a point speakers used to underline the urgency of curbing oil shipments. Congressman Jiménez directly urged Mexico’s president to stop sending petroleum, and local officials called for immediate suspension of trade licenses pending federal audits. Commissioner Natalie Orbes (Miami‑Dade) said humanitarian aid should continue, but "el comercio que enriquece a la dictadura no es humanitario."

Speakers also raised historical and legal measures. Mario Díaz Ballar referenced the Helms‑Burton framework and said the new congressional package includes provisions to deny visas and withdraw aid from countries judged to be supporting the Cuban regime through trafficking of workers. Díaz Ballar said the measure had passed the House and he expected it to be considered by the Senate this week.

Accusations and responses: A recurring claim at the podium was that government‑to‑government or commercial shipments (including oil and contracting of Cuban medical personnel abroad) provide funds that sustain the Cuban government. Organizers and officials urged international pressure and audits; the conference record includes demands directed at Mexico and other governments but does not record responses from those governments.

What’s next: Organizers closed by urging coordinated action at federal, state and local levels and by restating three central asks: suspend travel to Cuba, stop remittances and suspend licenses for commerce with Cuba while audits are completed. The conference concluded with officials saying federal and local actors were ‘‘united’’ on rejecting negotiation with the Cuban government and seeking further steps.

Speakers quoted above and directly represented in this report spoke at the public news conference; the event was broadcast to listeners in Cuba via Radio Martí and Marti Noticias.