President Donald Trump criticized his predecessor while announcing new restrictions on the country's dealings with Cuba.
Trump's Friday's visit to Miami, which came almost two years to the day that he announced his run for office, also included appearances by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Gov. Rick Scott and Vice President Mike Pence.
- President Trump spoke Friday in Miami
- Fact Sheet on policy changes at bottom of story
- Policy changes: Dept. of the Treasury FAQs
- Policy changes: Dept. of Transportation FAQs
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The president said his policy will restrict U.S. dollars flowing into Cuba and enforce restrictions on travel. He also said he planned to "expose the crimes of the Castro regime."
"Effective immediately, I am canceling the last administration's completely one-sided deal with Cuba," Trump said to loud cheers from the crowd.
"Our policy will seek a much better deal for the Cuban people and for the United States of America," he said.
This isn't a full roll back of President Barack Obama's deal with Cuba, but it's a policy that the White House believes will put more pressure on Cuba to improve the lives of its own people.
Pres. #Trump says Cuba sanctions won't be lifted until all political prisoners are freed, freedom of expression is allowed...
— VeronicaCintron (@VeronicaCintron) June 16, 2017
The U.S. will ban any financial transactions that go to or benefit the Cuban military.
Trump's plan will also re-establish strict enforcement of the dozen or so declared reasons for Americans to travel to Cuba. Obama loosened enforcement under what is known as the People to People Declaration. That will go away under the new plan.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman posted on Twitter his objection to changing policies on Cuba.
"Trump's Cuba changes are bad for America, our economy, our cities and bad for the Cuban people. We must continue 2 (sic) make progress regardless," Kriseman said.
The White House said Trump’s new Cuba policy will not affect any previously negotiated deals between Cuban and American businesses.
It will also not stop any Americans from visiting family in Cuba.
Before starting his Cuba remarks, Trump mentioned Rep. Steve Scalise, who was shot earlier this week in Alexandria, Va. "My dear friend, Steve Scalise, took a bullet for all of us," Trump said. "He's having a hard time. Far worse than anybody thought."
Trump also singled out Scott and said he hopes he runs for the Senate.
Fact Sheet on Cuba Policy
President Donald J. Trump is changing the policy of the United States toward Cuba to achieve four objectives:
1. Enhance compliance with United States law—in particular the provisions that govern the embargo of Cuba and the ban on tourism;
2. Hold the Cuban regime accountable for oppression and human rights abuses ignored under the Obama policy;
3. Further the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and those of the Cuban people; and
4. Lay the groundwork for empowering the Cuban people to develop greater economic and political liberty.
Summary of Key Policy Changes:
• The new policy channels economic activities away from the Cuban military monopoly, Grupo de Administración Empresarial (GAESA), including most travel-related transactions, while allowing American individuals and entities to develop economic ties to the private, small business sector in Cuba. The new policy makes clear that the primary obstacle to the Cuban people’s prosperity and economic freedom is the Cuban military’s practice of controlling virtually every profitable sector of the economy. President Trump’s policy changes will encourage American commerce with free Cuban businesses and pressure the Cuban government to allow the Cuban people to expand the private sector.
• The policy enhances travel restrictions to better enforce the statutory ban on United States tourism to Cuba. Among other changes, travel for non-academic educational purposes will be limited to group travel. The self-directed, individual travel permitted by the Obama administration will be prohibited. Cuban-Americans will be able to continue to visit their family in Cuba and send them remittances.
• The policy reaffirms the United States statutory embargo of Cuba and opposes calls in the United Nations and other international forums for its termination. The policy also mandates regular reporting on Cuba’s progress—if any—toward greater political and economic freedom.
• The policy clarifies that any further improvements in the United States-Cuba relationship will depend entirely on the Cuban government’s willingness to improve the lives of the Cuban people, including through promoting the rule of law, respecting human rights, and taking concrete steps to foster political and economic freedoms.
• The policy memorandum directs the Treasury and Commerce Departments to begin the process of issuing new regulations within 30 days. The policy changes will not take effect until those Departments have finalized their new regulations, a process that may take several months. The Treasury Department has issued Q&As that provide additional detail on the impact of the policy changes on American travelers and businesses.