President Donald Trump is preparing to announce changes to the U.S. policy toward Cuba, with possible restrictions on travel and trade that were previously loosened under former President Barack Obama, NPR reports.
Trump is expected to announce the changes in Miami on Friday, as the move was confirmed by a congressional source with direct knowledge of the situation.
Senator Marco Rubio has been leading the push for a more restrictive policy, along with his fellow Cuban-American, Representative Mario Diaz-Balart.
The changes could make it more difficult for Americans to visit Cuba and for U.S. companies to do business there. The Obama administration ended decades of economic and diplomatic isolation of Cuba, in hopes that renewed engagement would lead to reforms in the communist country.
The White House declined to discuss the pending changes. “When we have an announcement on the president’s schedule, we’ll let you know. But just stay tuned”, said White House spokesman Sean Spicer.
Advocates for greater engagement with Cuba warned the administration’s changes could be costly. “This is the opposite of ‘America First.’ This is America last”, said James Williams, who leads the nonpartisan lobbying group Engage Cuba.
Williams warns that reduced travel and trade with Cuba could cost thousands of American jobs.
Travel to Cuba is already limited to visitors in 12 authorized categories, but there is little enforcement. The administration is also considering stepped up policing to discourage pleasure travel and limiting visitors to one trip per year.
Williams added that it would be especially hard on Cuban-Americans with relatives on the island.
“Imagine, your mother is sick in Cuba. You might have to decide between going to see her in the hospital bed before she dies or going to the funeral. And that is just tragic”, he said.
Polls suggest a majority of Americans support greater engagement with Cuba, as last month 55 senators sponsored legislation that would further relax travel restrictions.
Be the first to comment