DeSantis puts Cuba's communist regime 'out to pasture' with a new Florida law backing him

WASHINGTON, DC: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on Friday, May 8, that Cuba’s communist government should be “put out to pasture,” linking his remarks to a newly signed state law aimed at increasing restrictions on businesses operating in Cuba in violation of US sanctions.

Speaking at a bill-signing event in Florida, DeSantis said that the island’s political and economic instability had reached a point where change was overdue.

The governor’s comments came as he signed the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act, legislation designed to strengthen Florida’s oversight of businesses with ties to foreign governments under US sanctions, including Cuba.

Ron DeSantis ties Cuba remarks to new Florida sanctions law

During the event, DeSantis framed his criticism of Cuba’s government in the context of economic accountability and state enforcement powers.

“If you look at the state of Cuba today and in 2026, it is time for the Cuban communist dictatorship to be put out to pasture once and for all,” DeSantis said. “That would be a good thing for our country. It would be a good thing for Florida,” he added.

The governor said the new law gives local governments and tax authorities broader authority to act against businesses with operations in Cuba that violate federal sanctions.

“It does a lot of different things, but particularly with respect to Cuba, it authorizes local governments and tax collectors to revoke business tax receipts for businesses operating in Cuba in violation of federal law,” DeSantis said.

He added that the law establishes criminal penalties for false declarations related to business activities in Cuba.

“It creates accountability for false declarations regarding business activities in Cuba; knowingly submitting a false declaration related to unlawful activity involving Cuba will now constitute a third-degree felony in the state of Florida,” he said.

DeSantis summarized the measure by saying, “You can't do business with criminals.”

Ron DeSantis links Cuba policy to broader regional US strategy

While DeSantis did not explicitly call for US military action against Cuba, his remarks reflected growing Republican attention on the island’s economic crisis and political instability.

He referenced President Donald Trump’s regional policy posture, arguing that Washington has taken a stronger interest in the Western Hemisphere.

“Certainly, President Trump, and how he's viewed the importance of our own hemisphere, (has) kind of reinvigorated the Monroe Doctrine,” DeSantis said, referring to the longstanding US foreign policy doctrine emphasizing influence in the Americas.

Trump has previously made remarks suggesting a more assertive approach toward Cuba. In March, he said, “I do believe I’ll have the honor of taking Cuba,” though he did not provide specifics on what actions that might involve.

Cuba has been grappling with an economic downturn and persistent energy shortages, compounded by reduced support from Venezuela, a key energy supplier for the island over the past three decades. Rolling blackouts and supply shortages have intensified pressure on the Cuban government.