Related videos:
Since his return to the White House on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump has launched a maximum pressure strategy against the Cuban regime, reversing previous relaxations and reinstating economic and immigration sanctions. Supported by key figures such as Marco Rubio, the new approach from Washington aims to cut off funding sources for the Castro regime, limit its influence in the region, and strengthen support for the opposition. Within this framework, the administration has implemented a series of measures designed to restrict the regime's access to foreign currency, increase its international isolation, and weaken its repressive capacity.
Reincorporation of Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism
On January 20, 2025, just a few hours after taking office, Donald Trump revoked the decision of the previous administration and reinstated Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. This measure entails additional financial sanctions, restrictions on international transactions, and increased isolation of the Cuban regime within the global banking system. As a result, it further hampers the Cuban government's ability to access credit, establish trade relationships, and receive funding from abroad, adversely impacting the already weakened economy of the island.
Reestablishment of the "Cuba Restricted List"
On January 31, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the reinclusion of several Cuban entities on the list of restricted companies, including those controlled by the military conglomerate GAESA. With this decision, U.S. citizens and companies are prohibited from conducting transactions with businesses linked to the Cuban armed forces, which directly impacts key sectors such as tourism and remittances. This restriction further complicates the Cuban government's access to foreign currency and limits foreign investment on the island.
Elimination of the humanitarian parole program
On January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order that eliminated the humanitarian parole program, which allowed legal entry into the United States with temporary residency permits for citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti. With this elimination, more than half a million people who had already been approved or were in the application process have been left without immediate legal options to emigrate. Those who were already in the U.S. with this status will need to seek other avenues to regularize their situation, such as the Cuban Adjustment Act in the case of Cubans.
Suspension of remittances through Orbit S.A.
On January 31, 2025, the administration of Donald Trump reimposed sanctions on Orbit S.A., a company created by the Cuban regime to manage remittances coming from abroad, which is under the control of the military conglomerate GAESA. This measure prohibits U.S. companies, such as Western Union, from conducting transactions with Orbit S.A., thereby closing one of the main channels for fresh currency to enter the regime.
With this decision, the government of United States aims to curb the flow of money that fuels the repressive machinery of Castroism, preventing the dollars sent by the diaspora from reaching the military and the government elite. However, this restriction also impacts the Cuban population, which now has to resort to informal—more costly and risky—methods to receive financial support from their relatives abroad. While the regime continues to search for alternatives to guarantee its access to foreign currency, thousands of Cubans are facing greater difficulties in meeting basic needs in an economy already suffocated by the crisis.
Plan to transfer migrants to the Guantánamo base
The Trump administration announced its intention to use the Guantánamo naval base as a temporary detention center for up to 30,000 immigrants deemed "high-risk" by U.S. authorities. This measure has been criticized by human rights organizations, as it revives mass detention policies and could impact Cubans attempting to reach the U.S. through irregular means. The inclusion of Guantánamo in the immigration policy of the Trump administration has generated diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Suspension of funding to NGOs and independent media
As part of a budget-cutting package, Trump temporarily suspended all federal grants and funding for foreign aid programs, which impacts non-governmental organizations and independent media in Cuba that rely on these funds. The measure hampers access to resources for human rights initiatives, civil society projects, and media critical of the Cuban government. Although a federal judge temporarily blocked this suspension, the future of the funding remains uncertain.
Most of these actions demonstrate an unprecedented hardening of U.S. policy toward Cuba, aligned with the State Department's strategy to hold the regime accountable for its repression of the people and to reject its malign interference in the region. By cutting off access to funding, restricting migration, and tightening economic sanctions, Washington aims to weaken the repressive machinery of Castroism and support the fight for human rights on the island. Although these measures directly impact the regime, the Cuban people also suffer the consequences of a system that clings to power at any cost. The big question is whether this financial blockade will accelerate real change on the island or if the regime will once again adapt and survive international pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump's New Measures towards Cuba
What does Cuba's re-incorporation into the list of state sponsors of terrorism imply?
The reinstatement of Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism implies additional financial sanctions, restrictions on international transactions, and increased isolation of the Cuban regime within the global banking system. This complicates the Cuban government's access to credit, trade relations, and external financing, further impacting its already weakened economy.
How do sanctions affect Orbit S.A. in sending remittances to Cuba?
The sanctions against Orbit S.A. prohibit U.S. companies from conducting transactions with this firm, shutting down one of the main sources of foreign currency for the Cuban regime. This impacts the Cuban people, who now have to resort to informal and more expensive methods to receive remittances from abroad.
What consequences does the elimination of the humanitarian parole program for Cubans have?
The elimination of the humanitarian parole program leaves over half a million people without immediate legal options to immigrate to the United States. Cubans who were already in the U.S. under this status will need to seek other ways to regularize their situation, such as the Cuban Adjustment Act.
What impact does the use of the Guantanamo Naval Base as a detention center for migrants have?
The use of the Guantanamo Naval Base as a temporary detention center for migrants has been criticized by human rights organizations. There are concerns that this measure could impact Cubans attempting to reach the U.S. through irregular means, generating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Filed under:
