Cruz: Obama has strengthened Raul Castro

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said early Sunday that he doubts there will be a new chapter in the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba because President Obama’s policies have strengthened the regime in Havana.

“Unfortunately, the policies of the Obama administration have made that less likely. What the Obama administration has done is strengthened Raul Castro,” Cruz told ABC’s “This Week.”

Cruz, who is of Cuban descent and is a fierce critic of the Obama administration’s rapprochement with Cuba, referenced a conversation with his father about the death of the Cuban leader.

“He shrugged and said Raul’s been in charge for years, that this is — the system has gotten stronger,” Cruz said. “And what Obama has done is funneled billions of dollars to Raul Castro, which is being used to oppress dissidents.”

The senator said he was with his father when he found out Castro had died.

“And for a man who has tortured and murdered and oppressed, for so many, it is thankful that he is no longer with us,” he said.

“I very much hope” Obama does not attend Castro’s funeral, he added.