Mitt Romney

Candidate submitted the following statements in lieu of questionnaire.

“There are four major points of pressure that can change any regime and particularly the regime in Cuba. First is economic pressure. It’s important for us to maintain our sanctions and help reduce the price of oil by becoming energy independent ourselves because the high price of oil is giving money to Hugo Chavez. The second pillar is to exert diplomatic isolation to make sure that the Castros are recognized as tyrants anywhere they travel. The third is to communicate more effectively to the people of Cuba and the world about the human rights abuses in Cuba. This can be done particularly through students, who naturally have great concern when they understand about human rights abuses. The final pillar is military strength. America must always be ready in the event of any military incursion by Castro or Chavez against the people of America. We must always be prepared so that the leaders of those countries understand that America will not ever be intimidated.

“Perhaps looking over these four pillars is the recognition that it is time to do more thinking and acting about Cuba. For too long America has forgotten Latin America.”

"For a half-century, the Castro dictatorship has been a terrible reality for millions of Cubans - on the island and in exile. Every person that values liberty should help the Cuban people bury a cruel dictatorship and usher in a free and democratic Cuba. I applaud President Bush's leadership in supporting the Cuban people and for calling upon world leaders to do so as well.”

"As President, I pledge my commitment to support the Cuban people as they reclaim their future and rebuild their country. We know from our own Cuban-American community that these are industrious, talented, and freedom-loving people who can achieve extraordinary things. Those on the island will be able to count on my help, the help of the American people, and international solidarity and assistance as they seize the opportunity for genuine change.”

“We need to continue to insist that we will not normalize economic relations nor grant political recognition until all of Cuba’s political prisoners are free and they can join their Cuban brothers in building a legitimate democracy through free and fair elections. Until that moment comes, the United States needs to continue to be innovative and generous in supporting those who struggle for liberty.”

"To keep faith with the Cuban people, we must make clear that there will be no deals with the illegitimate Castro regime which clings to power in Cuba. We must continue to hold back normal economic ties and political recognition until all political prisoners are free to join their fellow Cubans in building a genuine democracy through free and fair elections. Until then, we must continue to be innovative and generous in backing those who demand freedom."

"Even if Fidel Castro does not return to power, Cuba's government remains the brutal regime that he founded nearly 49 years ago. Regardless of his newfound desire to not 'obstruct the path of younger people,' the fact remains that Cuba's youth are currently subject to constant surveillance, harassment and violence for demanding their freedom and are among the many political prisoners in Cuba today."

"CAMBIO is desperately needed in Cuba, not a succession of power to Raul Castro or the next generation of Castro cronies. Cuba's future should be shaped by its freedom-loving youth. We must maintain our current policy until the Castro regime is dismantled, all political prisoners are freed and a transition to free and fair elections takes place."