<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>EXCLUSIVE —</strong> Republican Rhode Island congressional nominee Victor Mellor stated on September 14, 2026, in comments to the Washington Examiner that he does not plan to remain a foreign agent for Cuba if elected to the House.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mellor has received attention and criticism over federal disclosure records showing he has partnered with the Cuban government on "improving Cuban-American relations" through media-related projects. He stated that he has only spoken with Cuban officials to foster "peace" and would "absolutely" withdraw from the partnership if elected, as federal law prohibits sitting members of Congress from being registered foreign agents.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">"So far, I’ve done everything according to the law," Mellor told the Washington Examiner. "I haven’t broken the law yet. Why would I do it then?"</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mellor won the GOP nomination for Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District on September 9, 2026, against party-endorsed candidate Stephen Skoly. He mentioned that he has not been in contact with Cuba since leaving the island in June.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">President Donald Trump has adopted a strict stance toward Cuba, implementing sanctions and criticizing its history of espionage and political subversion against the U.S. Mellor has previously expressed that he believes Cuba presents opportunities for Rhode Islanders.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">"I don’t understand how people think I have that kind of influence," Mellor told the Washington Examiner.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mellor’s foreign agent disclosures with the Department of Justice describe proposals for a "Partner with Cuba" campaign aimed at countering U.S. politicians’ criticism of the regime. One document disclosed to the DOJ stated, "There are factions of Cuban-Americans — concentrated in South Florida, with deep institutional reach into the U.S. Congress, the media, and the donor class — who have spent decades shaping the dominant American narrative about Cuba."</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The project argued that impoverished Cubans do not need more pressure on their country to address suffering, according to the documents.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mellor described his discussions with Cuban officials as "just simple common sense," emphasizing respect and peaceful dialogue. He added that he secured a pilot program to send food to starving children in Cuba.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mellor’s foreign agent disclosures raised questions regarding his residency, as they initially claimed he lived in Englewood, Florida, despite campaigning in Rhode Island. A subsequent filing updated his address to Warwick, Rhode Island. Mellor stated that he obtained his Rhode Island driver’s license in October 2025 and has lived in Rhode Island for over a year.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced another round of Cuba sanctions on September 3, 2026, targeting a family member of former dictators Fidel and Raul Castro, a state-owned bank, and entities exploiting Cuba’s economy. U.S. military officials are also evaluating potential options for attacking the island, according to CBS News.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mellor emphasized that he does not intend to undermine Trump or Rubio’s agenda toward Cuba. "The only way we’re going to get to prosperity is through peace, and that’s what it says in the paperwork," Mellor stated.</p>