The United States government announced this week a significant tightening of its policy towards Cuba, which includes a substantial redefinition of who is considered "prohibited officials" of the regime.
This translates into a new wave of immigration restrictions that will prevent high-ranking officials of the Cuban government, as well as a broad range of actors directly or indirectly linked to the state's political, military, judicial, labor, and media apparatus, from entering U.S. territory.
These measures are part of the reissuance and amendment of the National Security Presidential Memorandum No. 5 (NSPM-5), originally enacted in 2017 during the previous administration of Donald Trump, and now updated to strengthen pressure on Havana.
According to the document, the United States' policy will be guided by its national security and foreign policy interests, “as well as by solidarity with the Cuban people.”
Who do the new restrictions affect?
The most significant part of the memorandum states that the Secretary of the Treasury will adjust the current regulations to redefine the category of "prohibited officials," significantly broadening the scope of this classification under Title 31, Part 515 of the Federal Regulations.
With this modification, the following individuals will not be able to enter the United States or access immigration benefits under U.S. jurisdiction:
-Ministers and vice ministers of the Cuban government.
-Members of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers.
Members and employees of the National Assembly of People's Power.
-Members of any provincial assembly of the People's Power.
-Local sector chiefs of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR).
-General directors, deputy general directors, and senior officials of all ministries and state agencies.
-Employees of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) and the Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR).
-Union leaders, specifically the secretaries and first secretaries of the Confederation of Workers of Cuba (CTC) and its associated unions.
- Chief editors, editors, and deputy editors of state media, including newspapers, television programs, and radio broadcasters.
Members and employees of the National Supreme Court.
This provision not only strengthens the existing restrictions but also incorporates new key actors from the Cuban state ecosystem that had not been explicitly included in the immigration sanctions until now.
Fundamentals of the Memorandum: More Pressure, Fewer Concessions
In its introduction, the Memorandum reiterates that the Cuban people have suffered for decades “under a communist regime that represses their legitimate aspirations for freedom and prosperity and does not respect their essential human dignity.”
Denounces practices such as the arbitrary detention of dissenters, reprisals against the families of political prisoners, harassment of religious believers, repression of independent press, and censorship of internet access.
The U.S. administration declares its aim to promote "a stable, prosperous, and free Cuba" and to channel resources to civil society, ensuring that economic benefits do not end up in the hands of the regime.
Other measures included in the document
In addition to the immigration sanctions, the memorandum outlines a package of measures aimed at strengthening the isolation of the Cuban regime:
-Strengthening of the economic embargo, including the prohibition of financial transactions with entities associated with the military or intelligence services, such as GAESA.
-Stricter limitations on educational travel, requiring it to be conducted under the supervision of U.S. entities and for legitimate purposes.
-Periodic audits of authorized trips to detect abuses or fraud in travel licenses.
-Supervision of democracy support programs to ensure they align with the criteria of the LIBERTAD Act.
-Creation of an inter-agency working group to study how to expand free internet access on the island.
-Active opposition in the United Nations and other international forums to any attempt to lift the embargo as long as the conditions for a democratic transition in Cuba are not met.
A strategy of political and ideological encirclement
Together, these actions demonstrate a comprehensive strategy of encirclement and pressure: it not only targets senior government officials but also mid-level personnel, ideological operators, and union leaders.
The aim is to discourage collaboration with the system and create internal tensions that, from Washington's perspective, could weaken the regime.
The final note of the memorandum reminds that none of these provisions create enforceable rights against the U.S. government, and that all will apply "to the extent permitted by law" and according to budget availability.
Reaction of the Cuban regime
Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla described this Monday as “criminal behavior” and a violation of human rights the new U.S. policy towards Cuba announced by President Donald Trump.
"The Presidential Memorandum against Cuba announced today by the U.S. government reinforces the aggression and the economic blockade that punishes the entire Cuban people and is the main obstacle to our development," wrote the head of Cuban diplomacy on X.
"It is a criminal act and a violation of the human rights of an entire nation," he added.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Sanctions on Cuban Officials
Which Cuban officials are affected by the new U.S. sanctions?
The new U.S. sanctions prevent high-ranking officials of the Cuban government from entering U.S. territory, including ministers, deputy ministers, members of the State Council and the Council of Ministers, as well as other key figures linked to the state's political, military, judicial, union, and media apparatus on the island.
What are the goals of the U.S. sanctions policy towards Cuba?
The goal of the sanctions is to promote a stable, prosperous, and free Cuba, channeling resources toward civil society and preventing economic benefits from ending up in the hands of the regime. This includes strengthening the economic embargo and limiting financial transactions with entities associated with the Cuban military or intelligence services.
What additional measures are included in Presidential Memorandum on National Security No. 5 (NSPM-5)?
In addition to migration sanctions, the memorandum establishes a series of actions to reinforce the isolation of the Cuban regime, such as the prohibition of transactions with military entities, restrictions on educational travel, and audits of authorized trips to detect abuses. It also includes the creation of a working group to expand free access to the internet in Cuba.
How has the Cuban regime reacted to these sanctions?
The Cuban regime, led by Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, has described the sanctions as a "criminal act" and a violation of human rights. They believe that these measures reinforce the economic blockade and punish the Cuban people, limiting their development.
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