Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed into law HB 905, known as the Foreign Influence Restriction and Enforcement Act (FIRE), imposing new limitations on agreements and contracts with nations deemed national security threats, including Cuba. The signing ceremony took place at the newly opened Bay of Pigs Museum and Library in Miami's Little Havana, attended by veterans of Brigade 2506, state legislators, and leaders from the Cuban-American community.
A Bold Statement to Havana
During the event at the Brigade 2506 Museum, DeSantis delivered a strong message. "It's time for the Cuban communist dictatorship to be consigned to the ash heap of history once and for all," the governor asserted.
He further emphasized the need for a complete regime change, stating, "What is needed is the end of the regime, not just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic," and added, "You cannot do business with criminals."
Highlighting the potential of the island if it were free, DeSantis remarked, "If Cuba were free, it would be an incredibly successful country." He used the geographical proximity as a political argument, noting, "Florida needs a good neighbor," referring to Cuba's location just 90 miles from Florida's shores.
Key Provisions of HB 905
The legislation, effective from July 1, targets seven countries labeled as "of concern": Cuba, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and Syria. Its core provisions include prohibiting public officials and employees from accepting gifts or benefits from these governments and authorizing local governments to revoke business licenses of companies operating in Cuba that violate federal laws.
The law also bans adoptions and surrogate motherhood contracts if any party is a citizen or resident of a listed country. This clause, introduced late in the legislative process, faced criticism from Democrats who warned of potential unintended consequences for parents seeking to adopt children from abroad.
Furthermore, funds for K-12 educational vouchers cannot be allocated to schools affiliated with terrorist organizations, and the Florida-Cuba Linkage Institute and "sister city" agreements with countries of concern are repealed.
The "Free Cuba" Clause: Preparing for Change
One of the most unique elements of the law is the section entitled "Support for a Free and Independent Cuba." This provision authorizes the governor to issue a temporary executive order suspending certain state restrictions and facilitating commercial interactions with Cuba if the federal government alters the island's diplomatic status.
This suspension cannot be renewed without express approval from the state Legislature, positioning Florida as the most ready state to swiftly respond to any potential regime change in Havana.
A Coordinated Pressure Campaign
The signing of HB 905 is part of an unprecedented week of pressure against the Cuban regime. On May 1, Trump signed an executive order blocking all assets of individuals linked to the regime in strategic sectors such as energy, defense, metals, and finance.
Last Thursday, Marco Rubio announced specific sanctions against GAESA—the military conglomerate controlling nearly 40% of the Cuban economy—and Moa Nickel, with a deadline of June 5 for foreign companies to cease operations with GAESA.
The bill's sponsor, Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, a Republican from Fort Myers, encapsulated the law's intent: "The FIRE Act sends them the message that we are watching and that they should think twice before targeting our great state."
Rubio, meanwhile, was clear about the scope of federal pressure: the sanctions will continue "until the regime adopts all necessary political and economic reforms."
Understanding the Impact of Florida's New Law on Cuba
What is the primary goal of Florida's HB 905?
The primary goal of HB 905 is to restrict agreements and contracts with countries considered threats to national security, including Cuba, and to prepare Florida for potential regime changes in these countries.
How does HB 905 affect business operations with Cuba?
The law allows local governments to revoke business licenses of companies operating in Cuba if they violate federal laws, thereby limiting business operations with the island nation.