Comrades on the City Council are demanding the United States end its longtime embargo of Cuba — even as the communist republic is reportedly plotting to help China spy on American citizens.
The predominantly progressive Democratic Council on Thursday voted to back a resolution by Brooklyn Councilman Charles Barron, calling on the US to remove Cuba from its “State Sponsors of Terrorism” list, while also ending a travel ban to Cuba and other sanctions against the island nation, in place since 1960.
“I am sure this resolution is weighing heavily on President [Miguel] Diaz-Canel’s mind as he opens up his nation to Chinese intelligence,” fumed Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) to The Post.
He was referring to a Wall Street Journal report on Tuesday that China and Cuba are negotiating to establish a joint military training facility on the island that could lead to Chinese troops being stationed just 100 miles off Florida’s coast.
Barron, a Democratic Socialist who reps East New York, New Lots and other parts of northeast Brooklyn, insisted during Thursday’s meeting that the embargo has been financially crippling and unfair to Cuban residents.
He said lifting it is overdue considering Cuba has helped countries all over the world by providing doctors, technicians and other assistance in times of need.
“Cuba has really helped the world … and it is time to lift the embargo, lift the sanctions and take them off the terrorist list. Right on to Cuba!” crowed Barron, shortly after the nonbinding measure was approved.
Councilman Ari Kagan (R-Brooklyn), who grew up under Communist rule in the former Soviet Union, said he couldn’t support the resolution, saying “it’s important to keep sanctions on Cuba for as long as Cuba’s socialist government oppresses its own people and commits acts of terror against other nations.”
The U.S. government has maintained China has been operating a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019, when Donald Trump was president.
However, China denies this.
