Cuba slapped with heavy travel restrictions

Cuba slapped with heavy travel restrictions
By Daisy Doctor


It really feels like the only thing the current US Government is keen on doing is undoing every law from the previous administration.

The latest victim? Cuba.

President Trump’s administration has now published new limits on travel and trade with the Caribbean country.

The roll-0ut will see harsh restrictions placed on US travellers, who will now only be able to enter the country in travel groups.

As well as this, a number of state-owned companies and entities, including shops and hotels, have been blacklisted.

Companies and organisations affected include; 83 hotels, two travel agencies, and five holding companies involved with the organised tourism sector, 10 Havana boutiques and two rum distilleries.

According to The BBC, the new regulations have influenced a huge slump in the relationship between the countries, which has hit its lowest point since George W Bush’s presidency.

As per The BBC, Restrictions have also been placed on people-to-people exchanges, a travel category under which Americans can stay with families on the island.

From now on, these exchanges can only take place “under the auspices of an organisation subject to US jurisdiction” and accompanied by a representative of that organisation.

In a statement from the US Department of the Treasury, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said, “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.”

The statement said the aim of the new laws is to maintain “opportunities for Americans to engage in authorised travel to Cuba and support the private, small business sector in Cuba”.

The new laws will take effect from this week onward.

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