The Black Lives Matter organization on Wednesday released a controversial statement on Cuba that criticizes the United States embargo and then goes a step further by supporting the revolution that installed the country's Communist government.

The statement was released on social media, including on the Black Lives Matter Facebook page, as Cuban citizens march in opposition to their leaders.

"The people of Cuba are being punished by the U.S. government because the country has maintained its commitment to sovereignty and self-determination," the statement says. "United States leaders have tried to crush this Revolution for decades. Instead of international amity, respect, and goodwill, the U.S. government has only instigated suffering for the country's 11 million people - of which 4 million are Black and Brown.

"... Now, we look to President Biden to end the embargo, something Barack Obama called for in 2016. This embargo is a blatant human rights violation and it must come to an end."

The BLM organization, the statement says, "condemns the U.S. federal government's inhumane treatment of Cubans, and urges it to immediately lift the economic embargo."

"This cruel and inhumane policy, instituted with the explicit intention of destabilizing the country and undermining Cubans' right to choose their own government, is at the heart of Cuba's current crisis," the statement says.

Since 1962, the statement says, the U.S. "has forced pain and suffering on the people of Cuba by cutting off food, medicine and supplies, costing the tiny island nation an estimated $130 billion."

The statement drew widespread criticism.

Giancarlo Sopo, a Cuban American and communication strategist who worked with the Trump administration, tweeted, "Disgusting! Despite the Cuban dictatorship's murdering and beating of protestors (many of them Black), BLM's statement on Cuba. condemns the US, praises the Castro regime, and makes no mention of the atrocities being committed by the dictatorship."

"The extortionist ring known as the Black Lives Matter organization took a break today from shaking down corporations for millions & buying themselves mansions to share their support for the Communist regime in #Cuba," Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida, tweeted.

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