Trump tightens US policy on Cuba

July 1, 2025

President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum implementing stricter restrictions on Cuba, reversing Biden administration policies that had eased pressure on the Communist-run country. The new measures include more stringent enforcement of the existing ban on American tourism to Cuba, opposition to international calls to end the U.S. economic embargo, and prohibitions on U.S. citizens doing business with GAESA, a military-run conglomerate. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez criticized the memorandum as strengthening "aggression & economic blockade" that hinders Cuba's development.

Who is affected

Cuban people and government
American tourists and U.S. citizens
Cuban-American community in the U.S.
GAESA (Cuban military-run conglomerate)
Cuban tourism industry and hotels
Cubans who might have qualified for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

What action is being taken

Enforcing the existing ban on American tourism to Cuba more stringently
Implementing mandatory record-keeping of all travel-related transactions for at least five years
Conducting regular audits of Cuba-related travel
Prohibiting U.S. citizens from doing business with GAESA
Opposing calls by international organizations to end the U.S. economic embargo
Maintaining Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism

Why it matters

The measures strengthen the economic pressure on Cuba's Communist government
Tourism is one of Cuba's main sources of hard currency, and these restrictions will further impact their already struggling economy
The policy reinforces Trump's commitment to what the White House describes as "fostering a free and democratic Cuba"
The actions represent a reversal of the Biden administration's approach toward Cuba
The measures have strong backing from the Cuban-American community in the U.S., though the ending of Temporary Protected Status for Cubans was met with disappointment

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC