In brief
US President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum to enforce stricter policies on Cuba, reversing some previous easements made by the Biden administration.
In a recent move to intensify US pressure on Cuba, President Donald Trump has enacted a memorandum designed to impose tighter restrictions on the island nation. This decision is seen as a reversal of the more lenient policies brought forth by the Biden administration. The White House has indicated it will more strictly enforce the existing ban on American tourists traveling to Cuba and will resist international calls, including from the UN, to lift the US economic embargo against the Communist regime.Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez responded to the memorandum, claiming it "intensifies the economic blockade that affects the Cuban people and hinders our development." The White House aims to eliminate "economic practices that primarily benefit the Cuban military, intelligence, or security entities" at the cost of the citizens.While US citizens are prohibited from engaging in tourism-related activities in Cuba, there are specific exemptions, including family visits and humanitarian efforts. However, the new memorandum mandates stricter compliance measures, including routine audits and a five-year requirement for record-keeping of travel transactions. It also forbids American citizens from conducting business with GAESA, a military-operated conglomerate controlling various hotels in Cuba.Cuba relies heavily on tourism for hard currency, but visitor numbers have significantly declined due to increased shortages and a severe energy crisis resulting in recurring blackouts. The memorandum reiterates President Trump's dedication to nurturing a "free and democratic Cuba" while addressing the challenges faced by its citizens under communist rule. This announcement complements existing measures from Trump's first term and recent months, including the reinstatement of Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. The Cuban-American community in the US has generally supported Trump's tough stance. However, his administration’s choice to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cubans, along with other nationalities, has disappointed many within the community.
