The United States has announced the lifting of some sanctions on Cuba that were reinstated by former President Donald Trump's administration, noting that these include immigration procedures, money transfers, and air travel. The U.S. Department of State stated that the Biden administration will particularly resume a program that has been suspended for years, which facilitates immigration procedures to the United States for family members (reunification).
The Biden administration also promised to increase its diplomats' ability in Havana to handle visa applications for travel to the United States. Under the procedures announced by Washington on Monday, the maximum amount of money individuals can send to their relatives from the United States to Cuba, previously set at $1,000 every three months per sender/recipient, will also be lifted. Additionally, individuals will be allowed to send money to people on the island to whom they are not related.
However, the U.S. State Department emphasized that these financial transfers cannot "enrich" individuals or entities that violate human rights. This limit on financial transfers was set by former Republican President Donald Trump, who enforced a series of measures against Cuba during his term. According to the new U.S. statement, Washington will also allow an increase in the number of flights between the United States and Cuba, which will enable flights to cities other than the capital, Havana. Washington will also permit flights for certain groups, which is currently prohibited.
However, the U.S. statement emphasized that previous financial sanctions targeting Cuban individuals or entities remain in effect. A senior U.S. official stated that the measures announced on Monday are "practical decisions aimed at responding to the humanitarian situation" in Cuba and "improving economic opportunities" for Cubans.
Havana quickly welcomed the U.S. announcement, considering it "a small step in the right direction... but with limited scope." Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez acknowledged that these are "positive measures" but stated that they "do not alter the blockade at all, nor the main measures of the economic siege imposed by Trump on the island."
