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The United States Department of State announced a new measure that requires accredited Cuban diplomats in the country to give prior notification of any visits or meetings with state and local authorities, educational institutions, or research centers, including national laboratories and agricultural facilities.
The measure, signed on April 18 by Clifton C. Seagroves, acting director of the Office of Foreign Missions at the Department of State, establishes that all these activities will be considered a "benefit" under the Foreign Missions Act, which allows for the imposition of restrictions on their execution.
According to the official document published this Monday in the Federal Register, members of the Cuban bilateral mission in the U.S. —including temporary representatives— must inform the Office of Foreign Missions in advance about any interactions with state, local, or municipal governments in the U.S. or its territories; visits to educational institutions; and visits to research centers, national laboratories, or agricultural facilities.
The regulations leave open the possibility of imposing additional or modified conditions at the discretion of the director or deputy director of the Office of Foreign Missions.
This action, backed by the authority granted to the Secretary of State by the Foreign Missions Act, responds to what the U.S. government considers "reasonably necessary" to fulfill the objectives of the legislation, although it has not been publicly detailed whether it is in response to a specific incident or a broader shift in policy towards Cuban diplomacy.
This Tuesday, the regime in Havana stated that the U.S. is attempting to overthrow it by force, with an offensive that, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío, is now only one step away from becoming a direct military aggression.
He has also accused Secretary of State Marco Rubio of trying to harm the island through the new measures of the Donald Trump administration.
Frequently Asked Questions about Restrictions on Cuban Diplomats in the U.S.
What new measure has the U.S. imposed on Cuban diplomats?
The U.S. State Department requires Cuban diplomats to report any travel or meetings with state and local authorities, educational institutions, or research centers in the country. This measure is supported by the Foreign Missions Act, which allows for restrictions on foreign diplomatic activities.
Why has the U.S. implemented these restrictions on Cuban diplomats?
The measure responds, according to the U.S., to what they consider "reasonably necessary" to fulfill the objectives of the Foreign Missions Act. Although it has not been specified whether the decision relates to a particular incident or a general shift in policy towards Cuba, the current political context suggests a hardening of the U.S. stance towards the Cuban regime.
How has the Cuban regime reacted to these measures?
The Cuban regime has accused the U.S. of trying to overthrow it by force, claiming that the new restrictions are part of a broader offensive that could lead to direct military aggression. The statements from Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío underscore the confrontational tone of the Cuban government in response to the U.S. measures.
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