Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar sarcastically responded to a billboard placed alongside a Miami-Dade highway that labels her, Carlos Giménez, Mario Díaz-Balart, and Marco Rubio as traitors. In an interview with Mario Vallejo for Univision, Salazar remarked that those who funded the billboard should be told the same thing she tells advocates of socialism.
She challenges those who believe socialism is beneficial to spend two weeks in Cuba experiencing it firsthand. Similarly, she invites those branding them as "traitors" to spend a fortnight in Washington to observe the hard work they do. "That's exactly what I'm telling the people who put up the billboard... Us, traitors?" she questioned. "I offer them the chance to come and spend two weeks with me to see what real work looks like for District 27," she concluded.
Recently, regarding the billboard, Salazar had stated through her spokesperson to the Miami Herald: “No one in the U.S. Congress has fought more than I have for Venezuelans, Cubans, and Nicaraguans fleeing dictatorship. This is cheap propaganda in the style of Castro.”
Maria Elvira's Stance on Suspension of Travel and Remittances to Cuba
In another segment of the interview—set to air in full this Sunday—the congresswoman shared her views on Giménez's proposal to halt travel and remittances to Cuba. "The reality is that Jiménez has a point. We Cubans must understand that we are the first to demand the embargo be maintained, yet we are also the first to violate it," she expressed.
"We are the first to come here seeking asylum, and a year and three months later, we head back to Varadero to celebrate a girl's quinceañera... That's outrageous, it should not be happening," she added. It remains to be seen if, in the complete interview, the congresswoman elaborated on her response and whether she fully agrees with her congressional colleague.
The Billboard Stirring Controversy in Miami
The contentious billboard on the Palmetto Expressway accuses Cuban-American politicians in South Florida of being "traitors" for not supporting the immigrant community against the stringent immigration policies promoted during Donald Trump's administration. The sign features black-and-white images of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio alongside Cuban-American representatives Maria Elvira Salazar, Carlos Giménez, and Mario Díaz-Balart.
They are depicted against a red background, with the word "TRAITORS" emblazoned in white, uppercase letters. Below, the message concludes with a triple accusation: "To immigrants. To Miami-Dade. To the American Dream." At the bottom of the billboard, the message "Protect TPS / Protejan TPS" (Temporary Protected Status) is displayed, accompanied by the Venezuelan flag, emphasizing the perceived disinterest or opposition of these figures in maintaining this humanitarian immigration policy.
As reported by El Nuevo Herald, the billboard is part of a campaign by the Miami-Dade County Democratic Hispanic Caucus, an organization affiliated with the Democratic Party, which criticizes the inaction and silence of these Republican leaders in the face of Trump's recent measures. This advertising effort comes at a time when President Trump has reactivated strict immigration control measures, including the use of an old wartime law to send hundreds of alleged gang members to a prison in El Salvador.
Moreover, over half a million migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela are facing the loss of their legal status following the announcement of program eliminations and limitations on TPS, as part of a systematic effort to dismantle the immigration protections established during the Biden administration.
Frequently Asked Questions about Maria Elvira Salazar's Stance
Why did Maria Elvira Salazar react sarcastically to the billboard?
Salazar used sarcasm to challenge those who criticize her as a "traitor," inviting them to witness the hard work she does in Washington, much like she challenges advocates of socialism to experience life in Cuba.
What is the significance of the billboard in Miami?
The billboard accuses certain Cuban-American politicians of betraying the immigrant community by not opposing strict immigration policies, drawing attention to their perceived inaction.
What does Salazar think about suspending travel and remittances to Cuba?
Salazar acknowledges some truth in Giménez's proposal, highlighting the contradiction of Cubans demanding the embargo while simultaneously violating it by traveling back to Cuba.