President Donald Trump issued a national security memorandum directing his administration to cease practices “disproportionately” benefiting Cuba. The memorandum restores the U.S. policy toward Cuba that was in place during Trump’s first presidential term.
“The United States recognizes the need for more freedom and democracy, improved respect for human rights, and increased free enterprise in Cuba,” the memo says. “The Cuban people have long suffered under a Communist regime that suppresses their legitimate aspirations for freedom and prosperity and fails to respect their essential human dignity.”
Trump’s memo declares that his administration will be “guided by the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States, as well as solidarity with the Cuban people. I will seek to promote a stable, prosperous, and free country for the Cuban people.” To ensure this directive, the administration must “channel funds toward the Cuban people and away from a regime that has failed to meet the most basic requirements of a free and just society.”
The United States will therefore “end economic practices that disproportionately benefit the Cuban government or its military, intelligence, or security agencies or personnel at the expense of the Cuban people,” the memo states, as well as ensure adherence to the “statutory ban on tourism to Cuba.”
According to a fact sheet on the memo, the directive reverses Biden-era measures that eased pressure on the Cuban government.
“President Trump is committed to fostering a free and democratic Cuba, addressing the Cuban people’s long-standing suffering under a Communist regime,” the fact sheet declares.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez criticized the memorandum, claiming it “strengthens the aggression and economic blockade that punishes the entire Cuban people and is the main obstacle to our development.”
He called the memo “criminal conduct” and a “violation of the DDHH of an entire nation,” using an abbreviation for human rights.
