The United States lifts a series of sanctions against Cuba

The decision promises to spark lively debate because the topic is politically sensitive in the United States. On Monday, May 16, the Biden administration announced the lifting of a series of restrictions targeting Cuba, a country subject to Washington’s embargo since 1962.

According to a statement from the State Department, the Biden administration will privately restore a suspended program for several years, which eased immigration procedures for members of the same family. It also promises to increase the ability to process visa applications in Havana.

The US will also eliminate the cap of $1,000 (950 euros) per quarter and per sender/recipient, which has so far limited money transfers to Cuba, and will also allow money to be shipped outside the family. However, the State Department specifies that these financial flows should not “Enrich” Persons or entities that violate human rights. This cap was set by former President Donald Trump, who took a series of actions against Cuba during his tenure. But the Biden administration said financial sanctions targeting Cuban individuals or entities remain in place.

The Biden administration will also increase the number of flights between the United States and the island, allowing service to cities other than Havana. It will also allow certain group trips, which are currently prohibited.

“Developing Economic Opportunities”

These ads, immediately welcomed ‘A small step in the right direction’And ‘but on a limited scale’by the Cuban government, as a result of the revision of US policy towards the communist regime, initiated by US President Joe Biden.

The measures announced on Monday are Practical decisions to respond to the humanitarian situation in Cuba and “Developing Economic Opportunities” A senior US administration official said that “the Cubans”.

In Havana, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez, admitted this “positive measures” but who “Do not change the embargo in any way nor the major economic embargo measures taken by Trump”.

“Neither the objectives nor the main tools of the US policy against Cuba, which is a failure, have changed.”In a statement posted on the ministry’s website, he said… ” presentation “ from his government “to enter into a respectful, equal dialogue with the Government of the United States”.

Democratic President Joe Biden is trying to find a delicate balance between the stated desire to do so Supporting the Cuban people Encouraging its democratic aspirations on the one hand, and firmness on the communist regime on the other. He had condemned, in the summer of 2021, the suppression of major demonstrations in Cuba and Taken a series of sanctions against Cuban officials.

Criticized even by Democrats

The topic of relations with Cuba is politically hot in the United States, which has a large group of immigrants of Cuban origin.

“Advertising today risks sending the wrong message to the wrong people at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons.”immediately criticized Bob Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, and a member, like Joe Biden, of the Democratic Party.

Conservative opposition, for its part, has long been closely associated with a pernicious criticism of the communist regime. Thus, Republican Senator Marco Rubio accused the Biden administration of counting among its ranks “sympathizers” the communist regime in Cuba. The elected official from Florida, where the majority of Cuban expatriates reside in the United States, also stressed that the government’s decision represents “First Steps Towards Returning to Obama’s Failed Cuban Policies”..

During his tenure, Barack Obama, who was Vice President Joe Biden, opted for a policy of historic openness with the Caribbean island, which allowed for a brief improvement in relations between the two countries. Upon his arrival at the White House, Donald Trump tightened sanctions on Havana, returning to the policy of the Democratic president.