Republican Rep. Threatens Havana Regime, Says After Venezuela 'Finishes Collapsing, The Murderous Dictatorship In Cuba Will Follow'

Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez threatened the Havana regime, saying that after Venezuela "finishes collapsing, the murderous dictatorship in Cuba will follow."

Gimenez made the claim in a social media post when reacting to a speech by U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, who said "UN member states should stop appeasing the regime with their votes and instead use this vote to send the world a message."

"I would encourage you to send the regime in Havana a message, and send the Cuban people a message. Stop using this vote to blame them and blame all of its economic problems on the United States," Waltz added.

Gimenez backed the claim saying "it's about time the international community join the United States in standing with the Cuban people & against the regime that oppresses them." "We are watching & taking names," he added as the Trump administration ramps up its military presence in the Caribbean and conducts strikes against alleged drug boats in the region and the eastern Pacific.

Gimenez is one of several U.S. officials making such threats against Havana. Another one is Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who claimed the Trump administration's pressure campaign against Venezuela will also cause the end of the Cuban regime.

"It will be the end of Cuba," Scott said in an interview with CBS News' 60 Minutes, which noted that Havana "relies on subsidized Venezuelan oil to prop up its economy."

"America is going to take care of the Southern Hemisphere. And we're going to make sure there is freedom and democracy," Scott added.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has been reacting to the developments, saying on Tuesday that the regime counts with "the unity of the people" and the "experience from years of revolution to face situations like these."

"Together we will prevail. Stay strong, Cuba," Diaz-Canel added.