Easing the embargo on Cuba, he said, will “support the Cuban people in their effort to achieve the political and economic freedom necessary to build a democratic, prosperous and stable Cuba”. It also will allow certain types of businesses, such as cargo transporters, Internet-based companies and telecommunications firms to establish operations in Cuba, assuming Havana permits them.
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Knowing that the Republican-controlled Congress would stifle even Friday’s moves, President Obama used his executive powers as far as he could this time. USA businesses can do direct business with Cuba, as well – although the American embargo remains in place.
Castro’s government, while working to improve ties, has repeatedly made clear that full normalization will require complete lifting of the embargo and the return of the USA naval base at Guantanamo Bay on the eastern tip of the island. “We now look to both the Cuban Government and the U.S. Congress for the same level of commitment”.
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said that easing us sanctions on Cuba shows that the administration is committed to promoting “constructive change for the Cuban people”. Like AP, the Journal cites an unnamed USA “official familiar with the new rules” being discussed by diplomats.
Cuba is also preparing for a three-night visit from Pope Francis starting on Saturday.
“These new regulations are another desperate attempt to ignore the iron grip that the Castro regime maintains on the island’s economy and will only serve to benefit the coffers of the regime”, she said.
Castro’s call marks the first time that a president from Cuba visited the US since his older brother and former president, Fidel, spoke before the United Nations in 1995, BBC wrote.
WASHINGTON, Sept 17 President Barack Obama’s administration is drafting sweeping new regulations to ease restrictions on USA companies doing business with Cuba, US government sources said on Thursday.
The two countries announced a year ago that they would restore diplomatic relations, and recently reopened their embassies in Havana and Washington.
Kavulich said the new rules might allow FedEx Corp. or United Parcel Service Inc.to open drop-off locations in Cuba, or Deere & Co.to have a showroom there.
The Treasury and Commerce departments said the regulations that take effect Monday simplify procedures for tourism, telephone and Internet investments, and money transfers to Cuba.
The rules also lift some banking restrictions and eliminate the cap on remittances to the island, previously set at $2,000 (1,756 euros) per quarter.
The official outlined a few other achievable goals before the end year: Counternarcotic cooperation that goes beyond Coast Guard interdiction efforts to include Drug Enforcement Agency partnering with its Cuban counterpart; joint environmental work involving the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; progress on setting up maritime passenger routes.
“It’s very exciting, we have the stories, not only of the struggles now of my parents generation when they exiled”, said Arazora.
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Officials stated whereas the modifications are aimed toward increasing business, additionally they search to spice up so-referred to as “individuals-to-individuals” contact between Americans and Cubans.
