Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio on Wednesday referenced Russian President Vladimir Putin as he slammed Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton on her plans to call for the lifting of the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba on Friday in Miami.
"After Secretary Clinton's failed 'reset' with Putin, now she wants to do a 'reset' with Castro," the Florida senator said, referring to Cuban President Raul Castro. "She is making another grave mistake."
Clinton is expected to urge Congress to lift the embargo, which took effect in 1962 after being signed by President John F. Kennedy, in light of President Barack Obama's easing of diplomatic relations with Havana.
Obama called on Congress to remove the ban earlier this month.
"Unilateral concessions to the Castros will only strengthen a brutal, anti-American regime 90 miles from our shore," Rubio said. "President Obama and Secretary Clinton must learn that appeasement only emboldens dictators and repressive governments, and weakens America's global standing in the 21st century."
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