Fox News "Hannity" - Transcript: Interview with Rep. Maria Salazar

Interview

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HANNITY: All right, welcome back to "Hannity." We continue from beautiful Miami. No income tax state Florida. And we are here with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Marco Rubio, who really worked hard to get here in spite of working all late this afternoon. And also joining us now is the daughter of political refugees from Cuba, Florida Congresswoman, she has been a friend of the show for a long time and a friend of my radio show, Maria Salazar.

Great to see you.

REP. MARIA SALAZAR (R-FL): Thank you very much for -- and welcome to Little Havana, the heart of my district, the heart of the Cuban exile community. And we really wish that the Biden administration would be paying attention to us the same way that you are, so we thank you very much for doing this, putting the spotlight on what is happening in Cuba.

(APPLAUSE)

HANNITY: You are very welcome. It's my pleasure. At the time I met all three of you, you were all passionate about this issue. One question I have, when Joe Biden -- now they have been facilitating this law-breaking at our southern border and basically nobody gets sent back.

You just get, OK, it's not even catch and release. It's just, write down your name, release, and we will ship you off to another state. But if you come by sea, Joe is saying, no, you will be sent back. Am I to read anything into that?

SALAZAR: Well, I think what you read into it is that he is not paying attention to those people that are screaming on the streets of Havana "libertad." You know, they're not saying down with the embargo or we want more vaccines or we want more food.

No, they are saying we want freedom. And something that my colleagues said here is that many demonstrations, you see the American flag. So what a coincidence that you see the American flag for people that feel the oppression of socialism. While in this country, unfortunately, some people are spitting on it.

HANNITY: Yes.

SALAZAR: So that goes to show you that the socialism, regardless of what word you put in front or behind it, it doesn't work. And what I'm saying, Sean, and once again, we thank you, is that the Biden administration needs to pay attention to us.

HANNITY: Does everybody agree, Biden has been missing in action? Everyone agree?

(APPLAUSE)

HANNITY: You know, I think back, there was a time in this country when Ronald Reagan supported the freedom fighters in Nicaragua to fight their own battle. But they were fighting for the freedom movement there. And beyond the internet, which is brilliant, we need communication, should that be on the table? The Miami mayor even said very aggressively, what are your thoughts, Senator?

RUBIO: Well, I mean, the first thing is, it took Biden 24 hours just to issue a statement and then another 72 hours to say a second thing. And then they did some Zoom call with some people and then came back with some third weekend statement. So I don't think you can -- right now, we can't even get him to do the internet, how are we going to get him to do anything else? It's a real challenge here with all of this.

HANNITY: By the way, if you missed Senator Rubio's Twitter timeline, it was, it's now 8:30, not a word from Biden, it's now 10:10, not a word from Biden. I mean, I really think singlehandedly you embarrassed him into finally making a statement.

RUBIO: Yes, it's just not a priority for them. And you have to understand, again, there is a segment of his voting base that actually thinks the regime is good, that actually brags about the regime. People that openly say it. I mean, the Black Lives Matter Foundation said that how great. And I said that's great, my office will help the Black Lives Matter Foundation emigrate to Cuba. We stand ready to help out.

(APPLAUSE)

HANNITY: Great point.

Governor, you are right, every -- there are people that I have -- that were nearly crying that I've met on the way in here. They can't communicate now with their loved ones and their friends and their family. And the internet is crucial. I agree with you. You've been right about that. And I think there is great cowardice of Biden. Is there more we can do? What should the doctrine be if we talk about a doctrine?

DESANTIS: Well, this is Western Hemisphere. I mean, you know, Monroe Doctrine. We want to have no influence of places like Russia and China. And I can guarantee you, if Biden is missing in action more, you are going to see China and Russia and some of those have even more influence on the island of Cuba without question. So I think you can work with Organization of American States. I think you can work with other members of the international community to stand together and support people who are being oppressed.

This should be a no-brainer given the history of 62 years of repression. Instead, you have Biden's administration having our own country be criticized for racism. They are inviting that. That's their priority rather than helping folks who could really make a difference. So, it's bizarre.

HANNITY: It's very bizarre.

(APPLAUSE)

HANNITY: All right. Now we turn to the radical organization known as Black Lives Matter, which recently voiced support for Cuba's murdering communist dictatorship. Joining us now with a full report, and there have been others that have praised Cuba over the years, oh, let's see, Bernie Sanders, Michael Moore bragging about their great health care system, one of the dumbest things he has ever said. AOC and others. Full report, our own David Webb is outside tonight with us here in Miami -- David.

DAVID WEBB, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: Hey, Sean, and by the way, I have been out here since this began. First when they came out to the streets on a Sunday afternoon into the night. This is not going to end any time and it shouldn't. It's Cuba's cry for freedom is what we are seeing.

But here in America, we have a Marxist-based organization, Black Lives Matter, say they care about Black lives, what about Afro-Cubans? They don't because communism doesn't know color. And Marxists like Black Lives Matter have come out not tacitly but outwardly in support of the Cuban regime against the people. They are a fraud. It's a grift. But they are a dangerous fraud and grift.

And I went up and down Calle Ocho, spoke to so many people including visitors, Cubans, sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters. I also spoke to people who had survived prison in Cuba. And believe me, they don't understand -- but they do understand communism. They don't understand how anyone in this country, anyone supported by the Democrat (ph) Socialists of America can support communism. And we have that in Congress. And we have that in the United States Senate.

I spoke to this one young woman. Just watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WEBB: A lot of people in this country not only are concerned about this, but on the other side there are people who follow the Black Lives Matter movement. Now they say they are for Black lives. They say they support the people. But yet they just came out in support of the communist government in Cuba. What you say to Black Lives Matter?

(UNKNOWN): I believe that if you fight for injustice against a group of people, what the Cubans are going through is injustice. So how can you allow or support injustice against a group of people that are oppressed? If they are fighting against oppression of the colored people, guess what, there is colored people in Cuba too. What about their lives? Do their lives not matter?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WEBB: She said it well, Sean. The world should be listening. Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, Patrisse Cullors are multimillionaire communists supporting the Cuban regime.

Back to you, Sean, from outside Cafe Versailles.

HANNITY: All right, David, thank you.

Joining us now is a Cuban-born democracy activist, founder of Cuba Decide, Rosa Maria Paya is with us, as we also continue with Senator Marco Rubio, Governor Ron DeSantis is with us.

Great to see you. You know, I will tell you, with all of the people that I've talked to out there, I find it inspiring. You know, we take things for granted, right? We probably should all wake up every day and before our feet hit the ground think, you know, the rest of the world doesn't live free. When I read the statistics about the poverty, widespread, it is so preventable. And yet, the suppression goes on, and murder, and death, and no freedom.

ROSA MARIA PAYA, FOUNDER, CUBA DECIDE: Exactly, and not just -- that, in addition to that, there is a huge propaganda machinery for (INAUDIBLE) very oppressive dictatorial -- totalitarian dictatorship, as the one that we have in Cuba, as a beacon of happiness, liberty, and even health care system when the people in Cuba cannot even find aspirin.

HANNITY: Yes, and you know, I really believe, and I discussed this earlier, that, can you imagine Cuba five years from now, if this was a successful freedom, liberty movement, could you imagine the investment, first of all, what beautiful geography. What incredible resorts will be built. What money and investment would go into the coastal towns, the jobs created, the wealth created. You know, people finally now prospering. They would have their first chance.

PAYA: The Cuban people also imagine that. We also imagine so and that's why we are asking for freedom and the end of the dictatorship. That's the only thing that we need to produce medicine and food and buildings, and to be prosperous and a beautiful country that actually could be an example in the world.

HANNITY: Let me ask you a quick question of our crowd. Show of hands or clap, maybe clap, it would be easier. How many people here have loved ones, friends, neighbors, relatives that you send money to because you know how badly they are suffering? A lot of people help people out in Cuba that are in Cuba now that you are helping?

You are all raising your hand. But they can't see them all on TV.

(APPLAUSE)

HANNITY: But they are helping a lot of people that are pretty desperate.

All right. We are going to take a break. Now this is going to be fun. We are going to go outside. A lot of demonstrators. They have been outside from day one as this liberty movement has started, speaking out against the evils of communism in Cuba. They will have their opportunity to talk to Governor DeSantis and Senator Rubio as we continue live in Miami. It's "Hannity" on the FOX News Channel.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HANNITY: All right. Welcome back to "Hannity." All right. So we're at Versailles Restaurant with Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and we're going to begin our town hall portion of this. And we're going to move back here.

You can come with me.

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: Where is the governor?

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: Hi.

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: Hi.

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: Now, this -- this is...

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: Guys, tell me what this...

(CROSSTALK)

(UNKNOWN): ... fighting for freedom, people that (inaudible) their voice, using their voice.

HANNITY: They're missing?

(UNKNOWN): Correct. They're taking them away. We don't know where they're at. There's more than 154 of them literally missing. There's not enough space...

HANNITY: How recently are they missing?

(UNKNOWN): Since July 11th (inaudible) they've gone missing. So...

(CROSSTALK)

(UNKNOWN): They're political prisoners...

HANNITY: Governor and Senator...

(UNKNOWN): Absolutely.

HANNITY: I mean, what a (inaudible)

RUBIO: It is. And I mean, I'm not (inaudible) we have (inaudible) over 500 or some people documented that have been arrested, many of them (inaudible)

They're doing sham trials, convicting 30 people (inaudible)

And these are people (inaudible)

HANNITY: Have you all noticed there's almost been a media blackout of this story?

(UNKNOWN): It is. But it (inaudible)

HANNITY: And if have you felt (inaudible)

(CROSSTALK)

(UNKNOWN): Absolutely. Absolutely.

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: Hold on. Shh. Does anybody have a question for the governor and senator?

(CROSSTALK)

Anybody have a question for the governor or senator?

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: So the question's about the Internet. I've called on President Biden. We have the capability to do it. We need Biden to support it, and we will get Internet to the people of Cuba.

HANNITY: Let me ask the crowd, are you angry at Joe Biden?

(APPLAUSE)

OK. You -- you wanted to ask a question or make a comment?

QUESTION: (inaudible) help Venezuela? What can we do now for the people of Venezuela, so it doesn't become the new -- the next Cuba?

RUBIO: Well, the first thing I would say about Venezuela is there is no Maduro without -- without Cuba supporting him there.

QUESTION: Of course.

RUBIO: But the second thing is, have people forgotten -- on the -- the day after -- the day after the protests, they tried to basically kidnap the -- the actual interim president of Venezuela. They tried to move hard on those people.

So I think we have to stay on the -- and, unfortunately, on that day, Biden -- the same time as they were trying to abduct Juan Guaido, Biden was lifting one sanction that Trump had put in place.

(UNKNOWN): The only question is, Biden, are you willing to help?

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: When you think about it, the minute -- think about this -- the minute Cuba is free, that could then be a domino effect, maybe?

DESANTIS: They're the number one source of support for the Maduro regime. They're the number one support for Nicaragua. They've been the source of everything bad in the Western Hemisphere for 60 years.

RUBIO: Now, without Cuba, there is no Maduro; there is no Ortega; there is none of these guerrillas trying to destabilize Colombia. They are the source of all evil in this Western Hemisphere.

DESANTIS: Yes.

HANNITY: OK. All right. Let's move over here, a little bit. I want to say this -- let me get to this guy -- this person.

OK, I'll tell you what. You see -- look -- if we can get the camera -- when we come back, you're dressed in blood. Freedom across here. We'll continue. We are at the Versailles. We're in Little Havana. We're in Miami, as people standing in solidarity with the people and the freedom movement going on in Cuba, which has been under-reported by the news media and frankly ignored by the president, for the most part.

We'll continue, straight ahead, from Miami.

(UNKNOWN): Freedom for Cuba!

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HANNITY: All right. Welcome back to "Hannity."

As we are in Miami, the world-renowned Versailles Restaurant. We have Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

The mayor of the great city of Miami, you've been so passionate and so outspoken. Thank you for joining us.

MAYOR FRANCIS SUAREZ (R), MIAMI, FLORIDA: Thank you so much for being here, for highlighting this issue to the world.

You know, the Cuban people have no means to defend themselves. And this is something that impacts the entire hemisphere. And it's so sad to see a lack of U.S. leadership. When you see --

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: The crowd, look at it, they are furious about it.

SUAREZ: It is.

HANNITY: And they have every right to be.

SUAREZ: Absolutely, Sean.

HANNITY: This incredible woman that we met here, who's next to Governor DeSantis, you came here when you were six years old, but your mom had to stay back in Cuba?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we came on. I was six years old in Freedom and Liberty Flight, 1966, my mom stayed and I came alone with my sister and dad. We didn't have family here. But some family took us. And I love the United States.

But what we're asking for is a free Cuba so I can go to my hometown and actually, you know, see what Cuba is all about.

We've never gone back. I will not go back until it's a free Cuba. And that's what we're asking for, because my parents, they took away their houses. They took away their businesses. And that's what the people are asking for -- freedom.

HANNITY: By the way, these are really peaceful protests, right?

RUBIO: Yeah.

HANNITY: Everyone has been peaceful.

HANNITY: OK. You guys are scaring me. I mean -- but you're making a point. Tell us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This chain represents the dictatorship in Cuba. This blood represents the blood that is going to be on the hands of those who would stand next to the dictatorship and not next to the Cuban people.

Joe Biden, Cuban wants freedom. They need freedom. They don't want vaccines. They don't want food. They need freedom.

That's what the Cuban people deserve. And that's what they want. And the United States has to stand next to the Cuban people, not to the dictatorship.

HANNITY: Is this all happening because there's not enough coverage or action from Washington?

You've got -- you have great representatives. You've got Rick Scott. You've got Marco Rubio. You have a great mayor and you have a great governor.

But Washington, your message?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Cuba needs freedom. Freedom. Enough is enough. The only vaccine the Cuban people is needing is freedom. Please help.

HANNITY: You know, it goes back to what we all discussed earlier, and that is that, if they have communications, I would believe that tonight would inspire the freedom movement, the liberty movement in Cuba.

Real quick.

RUBIO: Yeah, the regime is telling them no one cares. They've moved on.

This is important. The world cannot forget and we can't stop until Cuba is free and it has liberty.

HANNITY: Congresswoman?

SALAZAR: Well, I have the same message. And as I was telling you, we are very frustrated. We are very upset, because we have called respectfully. And we have told the Biden administration, this has nothing to do with political parties.

HANNITY: Can you not meet with Joe Biden? Will he not with you?

SALAZAR: He will not meet with us.

RUBIO: We've asked for meetings. It hasn't happened so far.

SALAZAR: Yeah. I am asking the White House three times --

HANNITY: That's despicable.

SALAZAR: Three times a day, Sean.

HANNITY: I've got to take a break. More from Miami is "Hannity" on the ground, the calls of liberty and freedom for the people of Cuba -- as we continue.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HANNITY: All right. Unfortunately, that's all the time we have left from Florida tonight.

I'd like to thank Senator Rubio.

Thank you so much for what you're doing.

Governor, great job.

DESANTIS: Thank you.

HANNITY: I need to move here.

Mr. Mayor, thank you.

SUAREZ: Thank you so much, Hannity.

HANNITY: Congresswoman, thank you.

SALAZAR: My pleasure. And thank you.

HANNITY: To all of you, thank you all. Freedom for Cuba.

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