Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce released the following statement after the U.S. State Department and Cuban regime announced they will reopen embassies in Havana and Washington, D.C.

"The announcement today by the President again rewards a brutal, tyrannical regime, and secures little in return," Pearce stated.

"The new policy toward Cuba gives the Castro regime the benefit of diplomatic relations, but does nothing to ensure real democratic reforms or to alleviate human rights abuses by the Castro brothers. Our diplomatic efforts should only focus on advancing U.S. national security and American interests -- first and foremost. Today's announcement does neither."

"The Obama foreign policy is a contradiction in terms. When it comes to nations we've had conflicts with or who have opposed America at every turn, like Cuba and Iran, this President rolls out the red carpet. When it comes to friends of the United States, like Israel, the Ukraine, Czech Republic and Poland, he lends only a deaf ear.

"This raises the serious question: how does this President decide to whom we should give American aid and support? He still has no strategy to defeat ISIS, yet somehow he finds time to open an embassy in Havana and plan an official state visit there. This is another bad deal. Aside from a photo op for his presidential legacy tour, the President has nothing to show for his concessions: no human rights improvements for Cubans and nothing for Americans impacted by the tyrannical regime. Meanwhile, U.S. fugitives like Charlie Hill, who killed New Mexico State Police Patrolman Robert Rosenbloom get freedom and safe haven in Cuba, Pearce added."