US President Donald Trump signs the executive order in Miami on Friday to reverse some aspects of the current agreement for a policy toward Cuba.
HAVANA TIMES —The executive order signed by President Donald Trump this Friday in Miami to change US policy towards Cuba contains, in essence, new restrictions on travel and commercial activities, but does not affect family visits or remittances from the Cuban-American community.
These are part of the directives emanating from the presidential decree of Friday June 16, which aborts the agreement signed by Obama to consolidate his legacy on the island, last October 14, although in practice there are many clauses in the policy set before Trump’s arrival at the White House that remain standing:
US citizens will not be able to plan their own private trips to Cuba and their incorporation into educational excursions will be subject to strict rules and possible audits by the Treasury Department. Travel will continue to be allowed in all 12 authorized categories, but will be subject to greater controls and supervision. People-to-people contact and educational trips will have to be organized in groups through a licensed tourism company and the itinerary records and activities carried out in Cuba will be preserved for five years in case they are required by the authorities.
US businesses and citizens will be excluded from doing business with any company controlled by the Cuban Armed Forces (FAR) or its intelligence or security services.
The links of US citizens and companies with state entities without links to the military sector, and with private restaurants and rental houses will remain permitted.
The embassies in Washington and Havana will remain open and fully operational.
The cruises and direct flights between the United States and Cuba will be protected under an exemption of the prohibition of transactions with entities controlled by the military.
The ability of Cuban-Americans and Cubans residing in the United States to travel unrestrictedly to the island and send remittances to family members remains intact.
The Treasury and Commerce departments will have 30 days to issue new travel and commercial regulations.
The United States will oppose actions and resolutions at the United Nations and other international forums to support Cuba and call for an end to the embargo.
The migration agreements established on 12 January, which repealed the “dry feet / wet feet” regulations and the special visa program for Cuban doctors working in third countries and who abandon their jobs, remain in force.
Policy changes will not take effect until the Treasury and Commerce departments have completed a complete review of the new policy in a process that may take up to 90 days.