Republican senators, led by Marco Rubio, are criticizing the Biden administration's use of Section 7031(c) sanctions, alleging politicization and targeting of right-wing politicians in Latin America and the Caribbean. The article draws parallels to the case of Sali Berisha, former Albanian president, who was designated by the State Department under Blinken for alleged corruption and undermining democracy. Berisha, a staunch US ally, argues his designation is politically motivated and blames George Soros for his predicament. The article explores whether Rubio, as a descendant of Cuban anti-communist immigrants, will uphold his precedent and reverse Blinken's policies against right-wing allies, both in Latin America and Southeastern Europe.
“Since January 2021, the overwhelming majority of public designations made under Section 7031 have targeted officials in Latin America n and Caribbean governments that have cooperated with the United States on strategic diplomatic and national security interests,” the senators pressed.
They urged Biden that the administration “must immediately explain the process and criteria it has used since January 2021 to designate individuals in Latin America and the Caribbean under Section 7031.” Among the eight, Rubio is acting as President Donald Trump’s secretary of state. By expressing concerns over U.S. allies’ designations and demanding the Democratic administration review and reverse them, Rubio has set a clear precedent. He must now uphold it.
Other U.S. Democrats once felt similarly. In 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a speech in Albania’s parliament, when Berisha was prime minister, stating that “if one wants to see democracy in motion, one should come to Albania.”
US Sanctions Politics Diplomacy Albania Latin America
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