WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez (R-FL), Chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, sent letters to the chief executive officers of major U.S. airlines calling for an immediate end to all commercial flights to Communist Cuba, citing serious national security and public safety concerns.

Congressman Gimenez warned that continued commercial air service provides financial benefit and international legitimacy to the Cuban dictatorship while undermining U.S. law and longstanding bipartisan policy. Congressman Gimenez's letter follows President Donald J. Trump’s January 29, 2026, Executive Order declaring a national emergency due to the Cuban regime posing an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security.

“I just sent letters to American Airlines and all major U.S. carriers urging them to cancel all flights to the brutal regime in Cuba,” said Congressman Carlos Gimenez. “Continued commercial flights to Cuba directly benefit the regime, not the Cuban people, and contradict U.S. law and decades of bipartisan policy designed to deny the dictatorship resources and legitimacy.”

Watch Congressman Gimenez's video statement HERE.

Read the letter sent below or HERE:

"As Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, I write to express my deep concern regarding your airline’s continued commercial operations to Communist Cuba and urge you to end all flights to the island.

"On January 29, 2026, President Trump issued an Executive Order declaring a national emergency due to the Cuban dictatorship posing an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to American security. The Cuban regime is currently designated by the United States Department of State as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. This designation reflects the regime’s long record of supporting hostile actors, harboring U.S. fugitives, and aligning itself with adversarial governments that actively undermine American national security interests.

"Allowing routine commercial air travel to a regime that is openly hostile to the United States presents serious national security and public safety risks. Cuba’s intelligence and security services maintain extensive surveillance and counterintelligence operations, and the regime has a documented history of exploiting international travel and commerce for its own purposes. These factors raise legitimate concerns regarding passenger safety, information security, and compliance with U.S. law.

"Moreover, commercial flights provide the Cuban dictatorship with hard currency that directly benefits the regime and its security apparatus, not the Cuban people. Continuing such operations risks legitimizing and financially sustaining a government that represses its citizens, threatens regional stability, and acts in direct opposition to U.S. security interests.

"As a South Florida Member of Congress, I am deeply concerned about the safety of our travelers during this critical juncture. I appreciate your attention to this matter and welcome further dialogue regarding how the private sector can align its operations with the safety and security interests of the United States.

"The United States cannot recognize and legitimize the Cuban dictatorship. The Helms-Burton Act, codified the principle that the United States must deny the Cuban regime resources and legitimacy until it makes verifiable progress toward democracy, respect for human rights, and the rule of law. Continued commercial air service undermines the intent of this law by providing financial benefit and international credibility to a regime that remains entrenched in repression and hostility towards its people and to the United States. Allowing such engagement contradicts decades of bipartisan policy designed to stand with the Cuban people against their oppressors."

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