The
Cuban Democracy Act was a bill presented by
U.S. Congressman Robert Torricelli and passed in 1992 which prohibited foreign-based subsidiaries of U.S. companies from trading with
Cuba, travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens, and family
remittances to
Cuba. The act was passed as “A bill to promote a peaceful transition to
democracy in Cuba through the application of
sanctions directed at the Castro government and support for the Cuban people.” The act stated that “[t]he government of
Fidel Castro has demonstrated consistent disregard for internationally accepted standards of human rights and for democratic values” adding “[t]here is no sign that the Castro regime is prepared to make any significant concessions to democracy or to undertake any form of democratic opening.” Congressman Torricelli stated that the act was intended to "wreak havoc on that island."