On Thursday, Cuban-American Congressman Carlos Giménez called upon major U.S. airlines to suspend all flights to and from Cuba. He argues that these operations financially benefit the Cuban dictatorship and pose a "national security threat" to the United States.
As a member of the House of Representatives and chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, Giménez sent letters to the CEOs of American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and other carriers operating flights to the island. He warned that their business dealings with the Cuban regime "economically support a dictatorship allied with U.S. adversaries."
Dated February 3, 2026, the letters reference a recent executive order by President Donald Trump, which declared a national emergency due to the "unusual and extraordinary threat" posed by the Cuban dictatorship to U.S. security.
Giménez also highlighted that the State Department continues to list Cuba among countries sponsoring terrorism. "The Cuban regime has supported hostile actors, sheltered American fugitives, and aligned with adversarial governments that undermine our national interests," the letter to the executives of American Airlines and Delta states.
The congressman warned that allowing regular flights between the U.S. and Cuba "provides the dictatorship with hard currency that benefits its oppressive machinery rather than the Cuban people." He added that continuing these operations "legitimizes and finances a government that oppresses its citizens, threatens regional stability, and acts against U.S. security interests."
Giménez reminded that the Helms-Burton Act prohibits the U.S. from recognizing or legitimizing the Cuban regime without verifiable progress towards democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. "Commercial air service undermines the purpose of that law by providing financial benefits and international image to a regime that persists in repression," he wrote.
In a video shared on social media, Giménez explained his initiative: "I issued a letter to major carriers with flights to and from Cuba, urging them to cease these operations. These flights are generating millions of dollars in revenue for the regime, which continues to oppress its people and has been deemed an enemy of the United States and a sponsor of terrorism. I don’t think we should be doing any business with them," the congressman emphasized.
He urged airlines to "stop giving aid and comfort to the communist regime in Cuba" and reiterated that maintaining commercial flights with the island contradicts decades of bipartisan U.S. policy supporting the Cuban people against their oppressors. "The United States cannot recognize or legitimize the Cuban dictatorship," Giménez stated, referencing the Helms-Burton Act. "Allowing these flights contradicts the policy designed to stand with the Cuban people against their oppressors."
Representing Florida's 28th district—which includes southern Miami-Dade and the Keys—Giménez has been a leading advocate in Congress for tightening measures against the Cuban regime and cutting off all revenue sources that sustain it. The congressman asserted that his priority is to protect U.S. national security and support the Cuban people "who continue to suffer under a corrupt, brutal communist dictatorship."
Understanding the Implications of Ceasing Flights to Cuba
Why does Congressman Giménez want to halt flights to Cuba?
Congressman Giménez believes that flights to Cuba financially benefit the Cuban dictatorship, which he views as a threat to U.S. national security and a sponsor of terrorism. He argues that ceasing flights would cut off a significant source of revenue for the regime.
What legislation does Giménez reference to support his request?
Giménez references the Helms-Burton Act, which prohibits the U.S. from recognizing or legitimizing the Cuban regime without verifiable progress towards democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
How does Giménez view the Cuban regime?
Giménez views the Cuban regime as oppressive, corrupt, and aligned with adversaries of the United States. He believes it threatens regional stability and acts against U.S. security interests.