Trump Reinstates Hard-line Cuba Policy, Overturns Biden-Era Decisions

In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Monday re-establishing a stringent U.S. stance toward Cuba, dismantling measures initiated by former President Joe Biden. The new directive imposes strict regulations on American tourism to the communist nation while upholding an economic embargo. The White House released a fact sheet detailing these changes.

The revised policy stipulates that Americans cannot visit Cuba for leisure purposes but may travel for educational or humanitarian reasons. President Trump, known for his strong anti-Cuba rhetoric, also reversed Biden's last-minute decision to delist Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. Additionally, he imposed partial entry restrictions for Cuban nationals.

The memorandum bans direct or indirect financial dealings with entities like the Cuban military-controlled Grupo de Administracion Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), except where it furthers U.S. policy goals or aids the Cuban populace. This decision counteracts Biden's 2017 revocation of Trump's initial financial restrictions on military-linked Cuban entities. The memorandum calls for strict audits and record-keeping of travel-related transactions to ensure compliance and maintain the existing economic embargo against Cuba, despite international opposition.

(With inputs from agencies.)