The foreign minister asserted that the measure reinforces the aggression and blockade against the island. Photo: CubaMinrex
Havana, June 30 (RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denounced this Monday the criminal conduct and violation of human rights by the United States government with the new reinforcement of the maximum pressure policy, which includes the prohibition of tourism for U.S. citizens to the island.
In his account on the social media platform X, the foreign minister asserted that the measure reinforces the aggression and the economic, commercial, and financial blockade, the main obstacle to Cuba's development.
Among the provisions highlighted in the White House measure is a ban on tourism for US citizens to Cuba, which includes the strict application of periodic audits to ensure compliance.
In addition, it establishes the obligation to record all transactions related to travel to the island for a minimum of five years.
Washington emphasized that the objective of the memorandum is to strengthen the United States' stance toward Cuba, ensuring that the policies implemented reflect a tougher approach toward the Havana government.
The decision is part of a series of initiatives by the second Trump administration to regain control of foreign policy toward Cuba, prioritizing economic sanctions and mobility restrictions.
The document does not detail new specific sanctions, although it emphasizes the reimposition of previous measures that limited the flow of resources to the Cuban government.
The provisions also affect third countries, discouraging European tourism due to measures such as the exclusion from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program, which allows beneficiaries to enter the United States.
Travelers who have visited Cuba since the island was included on the list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism cannot obtain that permit to travel from European nations, such as Spain.
In its latest report, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) reported that, between March 2023 and February 2024, the blockade caused losses to the tourism sector of approximately $1.089 billion (USD).
[ SOURCE: @BrunoRguezP and teleSUR ]
