VIDEO RELEASE: Sen. Moody Stands for Freedom, Marks 30th Anniversary of Shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue with Congressman Díaz-Balart

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HIALEAH GARDENS, Fla.-Senator Ashley Moody today honored the victims of the Brothers to the Rescue shootdown with U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), and Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28). Thirty years ago, the communist Cuban regime ordered two Cuban jet pilots to attack Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft seeking to provide humanitarian aid, leading to the deaths of Armando Alejandre, Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Pena, and Pablo Morales.

Armando, Carlos, Mario, and Pablo were on a humanitarian mission under Brothers to the Rescue, a Miami-based care organization focused on helping Cubans trying to flee the Communist regime, when they were shot down. Today, Senator Moody along with U.S. Representatives Díaz-Balart, Salazar, and Giménez honored the memory of the lives tragically taken by the regime.

Senator Ashley Moody said, "I'm honored to join U.S. Representatives Díaz-Balart, Salazar, and Giménez in remembering the four lives tragically lost in the Brothers to the Rescue shootdown 30 years ago-four men who believed so deeply in freedom that they were willing to fly toward danger in order to save others seeking it. It is essential that we continue putting pressure on the communist regime that ordered this horrific attack on civilians. America is at its best when we stand for liberty and lead through strength."

Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart said, "Thirty years ago, Raúl Castro carried out a brutal attack that murdered innocent Americans whose only mission was to save lives. We gather not only to honor their memory, but to reaffirm that crimes against Americans cannot be ignored, excused, or forgotten. There must be accountability for those responsible. I commend President Trump for his maximum pressure campaign against anti-American regimes and for always prioritizing our national security. The United States must continue to stand firmly with the Cuban people in their pursuit of freedom, justice, and democracy."

Senator Moody is committed to fighting for freedom and holding the Cuban communist regime accountable.

Senator Moody is a cosponsor of the DEMOCRACIA Act. The Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus Act (DEMOCRACIA Act):

• Authorizes the president to impose sanctions-blocking assets and denying entry into the United States-on a foreign person if the president determines that the person knowingly engages in an activity with Cuba's defense sector, security sector, intelligence sector, or any other sector involved in carrying out human rights abuses or providing support for international terrorism.
• Authorizes the President to impose sanctions with respect to human rights abuse and corruption in Cuba including against:
• Members of the Communist Party of Cuba, to include the Office of Religious Affairs and members of the Politburo and the Central Committee
• Members of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers
• Ministry of the Interior of Cuba, to include, the National Revolutionary Police Force
• Members of the committee for the Defense of the Revolution
• The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba
• Office of the President of Cuba
• Any official of the Cuban regime who works with the Ministry of Justice or the Office of the Attorney General and who violates due process rights of an individual in Cuba
• The spouse and children of any of these blocked individuals are also subject to these sanctions
• Authorizes the President to terminate these sanctions only if he certifies to Congress that the Government of Cuba:
• Has released all political prisoners,
• Legalized all political parties,
• Establishes a free press, and
• Free, fair, multiparty internationally observed elections are scheduled in a timely manner
• Authorizes the President to immediately use all means possible to provide unrestricted, reliable internet service to the people of Cuba that is not censored or blocked by the Cuban regime.
• Requires the President to establish a taskforce to develop long-term solutions for providing reliable internet service to the people of Cuba that is not censored or blocked by the Cuban regime.

Read full bill text here.

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