U.S. to impose new sanctions on Cuba as part of Trump's new policies - Treasury

Changes to the blockade program against Cuba which were announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in June will take effect on November 9, according to the U.S. Treasury Department
Wednesday, 08 November 2017 17:35

Changes to the blockade program against Cuba which were announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in June will take effect on November 9, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

The changes, which will take effect on Thursday, will expand the list of Cuban government officials barred from transactions as well as set policy to deny exports to prohibited Cuban entities, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement. 

According to the Treasury, the goal of the changes is to channel economic activity away from the Cuban military, intelligence and security services, but still allow Americans to travel to Cuba and support the country's private, small businesses.

The State Department is currently putting together a list of entities and sub-entities with which people subject to U.S. jurisdiction will no longer be allowed to conduct transactions, while the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security will be simplifying and expanding the exception that allows certain license-free exports to the Cuban private sector.

The State Department is also publishing a list of dozens of hotels, shops and other businesses that it says are linked to Cuba's military. Americans are banned from doing business with them - making travel even more complicated.

Americans wanting to visit Cuba will have to go as part of organized tour groups run by U.S. companies. A representative of the sponsoring group must accompany the travellers.