Shutts & Bowen Partner Aliette Rodz, Chair of the Cuba Task Force and Co-Chair of the International Dispute Resolution Practice Group, recently shared her insights on the political unrest in Cuba with The Brian Mudd Show, NewsRadio 610 WIOD.
Aliette covered a number of issues, including the importance of standing up for human rights and free speech, what individual Americans can do to assist those suffering in the Communist island nation, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ efforts to bring internet service to Cubans who have been denied it by their government. DeSantis recently wrote a letter to President Biden requesting federal assistance to provide Internet access to those Cuban citizens standing against Communist oppression.
“What we are seeing today is a basic call for the human rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly … a peaceful protest for fundamental needs like food, medicine, toilet paper, tooth paste, soap to bathe,” she said. “And the Internet is a must -- trying to assist with that would be phenomenal and certainly crucial.”
Additionally, Aliette pointed out government agencies Americans can turn to in order to donate much-needed resources to the Cuban people.
“The U.S. Department of Treasury and The Office of Foreign Assets Control has general licenses that authorize humanitarian relief and assistance to the Cuban people. Those include humanitarian travel and trade,” she said. “It is not prohibited to export goods for the benefit of assisting health needs, food, etc. You may help in accordance to our U.S. laws.”
About Aliette D. Rodz
Aliette DelPozo Rodz is a partner in the Miami office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where she is Co-Chair of the International Dispute Resolution Practice Group and Chair of the Cuba Task Force, the firm's Diversity Committee and the firm's Focus on Women Group. Aliette serves as lead trial counsel for companies involved in disputes in state and federal courts, in arbitration and before administrative agencies. She handles all aspects of litigation including preliminary and permanent injunction hearings, evidentiary hearings, bench trials, arbitrations and jury trials.