Cuba’s Foreign Ministry chief for U.S. Affairs says new U.S. government regulations to make it tougher for Americans to visit Cuba would hurt the Cuban people and U.S. businesses.
The U.S. government on Wednesday announced new measures to make it more difficult for Americans to visit Cuba and do business in the country, making good on a pledge by President Donald Trump to roll back his Democratic predecessor’s move toward warmer ties with Havana.
The restrictions, which take effect on Thursday November 9, are aimed at preventing the military, intelligence and security arms of Cuba’s Communist government from benefiting from American tourists and trade.
The regulations include a ban on Americans doing business with about 180 Cuban government entities, holding companies, and tourism companies.
The list includes 83 state-owned hotels, including famous hotels in Old Havana such as Ernest Hemingway’s erstwhile favourite haunt the Hotel Ambos Mundos, as well as the city’s new luxury shopping mall.
