Official Washington tightened the economic embargo on Cuba and restricted Americans from access to hotels, stores and other businesses linked to the Cuban military, intelligence or security services. Americans will have to go to Cuba through tour operators, rather than traveling on their own. The measures are a return to the stance U.S. had toward Cuba before the two countries restored diplomatic ties in 2015.
“These measures confirm there is a serious reversal in bilateral relations which has occurred as a result of the decisions taken by the government of President Donald Trump,” said Josefina Vidal, the top Cuban diplomat for North America.
Still, direct commercial flights are not grounded and cruise ships are allowed. The embassies will not be closed. The goal of the measures is moving away form Cuban military, intelligence and security services which dominate in the economy of the Cuban state-controlled companies. According to unnamed Trump administration officials, the aim of the rules is bigger financial support for the private sector in Cuba. In order to achieve that, Treasury Department is expanding and simplifying a license that allows some U.S. exports to Cuba despite the embargo. Tools and equipment to build or renovate private buildings are among the allowed exports.
“We have strengthened our Cuba policies to channel economic activity away from the Cuban military and to encourage the government to move toward greater political and economic freedom for the Cuban people,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.
The rules take effect today. They were announced in June by the American president. Travel groups and proponents of closer ties between the countries denounced the new rules. According to the U.S. officials, the new rules are not connected to the unexplained attacks that harmed more than two dozen Americans in Havana.
Eighty-three hotels are on the banned list. According to The New York Times, Marriot International’s Four Points Havana Hotel, owned by the Cuban government, is not on the list, while the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana, operated by a foreign rival, is on the banned list.
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