On his first day of his second term, President Donald Trump revoked President Joe Biden’s recent decision to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. This action reverses a key Biden policy aimed at easing sanctions on Cuba, which was accompanied by Cuba’s agreement to release over 500 prisoners. Trump’s decision reaffirms Cuba’s designation as a terrorism sponsor, a label his administration originally imposed in 2021.
Biden’s initial policy aimed to improve relations with Cuba, easing financial restrictions and curbing lawsuits over property seizures tied to the Cuban Revolution. However, Trump’s reversal has kept the status quo intact, with Cuba enduring ongoing economic sanctions and facing criticism for alleged human rights abuses. The reality is that four years later, 500 protesters remain imprisoned in Cuba—a stark example of communist repression. There is no justification for the U.S. to compromise its national security to appease a communist regime in the hope that it will treat its own people humanely.
In 2024, the House Homeland Security Committee, led by Subcommittee Chairman Carlos Gimenez, criticized the Biden administration for hosting Cuban officials during a TSA visit without notifying Congress or local authorities. Gimenez expressed concerns over Cuba’s status as a State Sponsor of Terrorism and its close ties to adversaries like China and Russia. He highlighted Cuba’s history of espionage against the U.S., human rights abuses, and alleged targeting of American diplomats. Gimenez condemned the TSA’s negligence in facilitating the visit, calling for stricter policies and coordination to prevent similar incidents. He emphasized that the U.S. should not reward the Cuban regime while it continues oppressive practices.
Over the past 30 years, Cuba has conducted multiple espionage operations targeting the United States, underscoring its persistent efforts to infiltrate U.S. institutions. Notable cases include Ana Montes, a Defense Intelligence Agency analyst who provided classified information to Cuba for 17 years before her 2001 arrest. The “Cuban Five,” arrested in 1998, operated as part of the Wasp Network to infiltrate U.S. military installations and Cuban-American groups. In 2006, Carlos and Elsa Alvarez, employees at Florida International University, were convicted of acting as covert Cuban agents for nearly 30 years. More recently, retired U.S. diplomat Victor Manuel Rocha was arrested in 2023 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for gathering intelligence for Cuba since 1981. These incidents reveal a decades-long strategy by Cuba to gather intelligence within the United States, while its close relationship with China adds another layer of concern.
China reportedly operates sophisticated listening posts in Cuba, with research by CSIS identifying four likely sites used for intelligence collection on the U.S. and its neighbors. Satellite imagery and open-source analysis reveal recent upgrades to these facilities, reflecting China’s growing influence as Cuba becomes increasingly reliant on its economic support. These developments, coupled with Cuba’s proximity to the U.S. mainland, have heightened tensions in the U.S.-China geopolitical rivalry and raised alarms among U.S. policymakers. While China and Cuba share ideological similarities, their relationship was strained during the Cold War due to Cuba’s dependence on Soviet aid. Since the 1990s, however, their ties have strengthened, with China emerging as a key trade partner, diplomatic ally, and supporter of Cuba’s surveillance capabilities. These dynamics underscore the need for the U.S. and its regional partners to monitor China’s activities in Cuba and push for transparency to mitigate potential risks. Biden’s decision to remove Cuba from the terrorism list was a step in the opposite direction. […]
— Read More: www.thegatewaypundit.com
At Last, a Company With Integrity in the Gold IRA Industry
For several years, I’ve been vetting out precious metals companies in search of the best. I believe in gold and silver but it’s hard to find integrity in the Gold IRA industry. The vast majority operate with shady tactics and gigantic spreads that take advantage of Americans who simply want to protect their life’s savings.
I’ve found a handful that I like and I’ve worked with some of them. By no means would I “unrecommend” them because, again, I vetted them out and found them to be above the fold. Unfortunately, it isn’t hard to be better than the rest when the rest are so darn awful.
After years of searching, I finally found a company that truly operates with integrity. Augusta Precious Metals has three important attributes that set them far above the competition:
- Non-Commissioned Sales Team: I cannot stress how important and unique this is. With just about every other company in the Gold IRA industry, the sales teams make commission from every account they open. This means they steer their clients toward the gold and silver products with the highest commission. With Augusta Precious Metals, the team is solely focused on putting the best gold and silver for their clients into their IRA. They get paid to serve the best interests of the Gold IRA client, NOT their own commission pay.
- Incredibly Low Fees: Most Americans would be shocked if they knew the spread other Gold IRA companies charge. Augusta charges just 5% versus up to 45% elsewhere.
- No Pressure, No Gimmicks: There’s an understanding among most in the Gold IRA industry that fear and pressure is the way to go. Augusta Precious Metals takes a sober approach when working with clients because they hold integrity in the highest possible regard. This is why they don’t offer gimmicks like “free” or “bonus” silver. It’s also why they do not apply pressure tactics to get quick sales. Their educational and transparent approach to doing business is exceedingly rare in the Gold IRA industry.
