Marco Rubio wants Cuba talks canceled amidst detention of 53 dissidents

The recent sweep of dissidents in Cuba by Raul Castro’s government has been a slap in the face for many who support President Barack Obama’s reopening of diplomatic relations with the island—and a rallying call for those hardliners who sternly oppose it. That’s why Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio asked President Obama to halt talks with the Cuban government slated for later in January because of the secrecy surrounding the release of 53 political prisoners is done away with.

SEE ALSO: Majority of Cuban-Americans are in favor of lifting the US embargo

Senator Rubio sent the President a letter Tuesday, urging him to cancel any diplomatic talks until the communist government confirms the status of these prisoners.

“To date, no information has been provided about the political prisoners to be released – regarding their identities, conditions or whereabouts, even on a confidential basis, to member of Congress,” Rubio wrote in a letter published by the Miami Herald.

At the heart of the controversy is the mystery surrounding the promised release of the 53 Cuban prisoners. Almost three weeks after the agreement that took place in December, neither islanders nor Cuban-exiles have received confirmation of whom is being released or how many have been freed so far.

Rubio wants Cuba talks canceled, criticizes secrecy of prisoner release

Rubio, along with other Republican Cuban-American congressional leaders, who include Florida Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mario Diaz-Balart, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Democratic New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez have sternly criticized Obama’s historic announcement in December announcing the reestablishment of relations between the countries. They have been staunch opponents of normalizing relations with the island before Obama’s announcement, but have increased their criticism in light of an increase of detentions and beatings against opposition leaders on the island by state forces.

Cuba continues to maintain a dismal record of human rights, and a teetering economy that rations basic necessities such as food and medicine to it’s citizens, however, many supporters of Obama’s measure say friendlier relations between both countries could slowly lead to financial and civil reforms in the island nation.

Rubio went on to say in his letter: “Just yesterday, your own State Department was unable to provide an explanation about the political prisoners in question. How is the United States supposed to hold the Cuban dictatorship responsible for the well-being of these political prisoners if your Administration is unable or unwilling to provide this transparency?”

SEE ALSO: US-Cuba trade hit a record low in 2014

President Obama maintains that the economic embargo against the island should end, but that’s an act only Congress can approve.

According to a poll released by Florida International University, a majority of Cuban-Americans oppose the Cuban embargo.

Ultimately Obama wants to reopen the US Embassy in Cuba, which was shut down in 1961, shortly after the triumph of the Cuban revolution.

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