Remember when former President Obama lifted the longstanding trade and travel embargo in Cuba, and travelers and vintage car-lovers alike rejoiced! Welp, looks like Trump is taking his number 2 pencil eraser to THAT progression.
Because, of course he is. His. M.O. is basically “wipe away any significant Obama policies,” so there’s that.
On Friday, the Trump administration announced a new policy restricting travel and spending between the United States and Cuba, per TIME. Trump confirmed it via a speech in Miami stating that he was, “canceling the last administration's completely one-sided deal with Cuba.”
"The previous administrations easing of restrictions on travel and trade does not help the Cuban people. They only enrich the Cuban regime," Trump noted. "The profits from investment and tourism flow directly to the military."
As we know, Trump has a penchant for exaggeration. The new policy isn’t so much “canceling” Obama’s as it is adding some restrictions to the existing policy. Per a White House fact sheet, the new policy will restrict non-academic individual travel and restrict travel-related transactions geared toward Cuban military monopoly-owned entities. Cuban-Americans will still be able to travel to the country and send remittances.
"My action today bypasses the military and the government to help the Cuban people themselves," said Trump. Trump confirmed that he would only be open to a new deal renegotiation if the Castro government made significant changes including political freedom release, political party legalization, among other things. "We will not be silent in the face of communism, oppression," Trump noted.
"America will always stand for liberty and America will always pray and cheer for the freedom of the Cuban people," he concluded.