New York, 23 October 2023.- Between March 2022 and February 2023, the administration of Joseph Biden rigorously applied the policy of maximum pressure and suffocation of his predecessor, Donald Trump, against Cuba, which had a negative impact on all sectors of the country's economy.
Among the most severe provisions were: the maintenance of the dishonest classification of Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism; the possibility of taking action in U.S. courts against lawsuits filed under Title III of the Helms-Burton Act; the meticulous persecution of Cuban financial transactions and the consequent obstacles to the supply of fuel to the country, as well as the enforcement of unilateral listings that prevent financial transactions with Cuban entities.
In spite of the fact that on 16 May 2022, the U.S. government announced a group of measures regarding visas, regular migration, flights and remittances, these did not modify the most harmful aspects of the blockade, nor did they reverse the most aggressive measures imposed against Cuba by Trump.
During the aforementioned period covered by Cuba´s Report pursuant to United Nations General Assembly resolution 77/7 "Necessity of ending the economic, financial and commercial embargo of the United States of America against Cuba", the US government extended severe laws and provisions related to Cuba, the impact of which reinforced the harmful consequences of the blockade. The following official announcements stood out:
On 11 May 2022, the Secretary of State notified Congress of the certification of Cuba as a country that "does not fully cooperate" with US anti-terrorism efforts, in accordance with Section 40A(a) of the Arms Export Control Act and Executive Order 13637. With this, Cuba's inclusion in this list was ratified for the third consecutive time.
On 2 September 2022, President Joseph Biden extended for one year the blockade restrictions against Cuba under the Trading with the Enemy Act.
On 14 October 2022, by presidential directive, Joseph Biden extended for one year the restrictions on granting federal funds for cultural and educational exchanges with Cuba, among other measures.
On 30 November 2022, the Department of Justice issued a recommendation made by the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services to the Federal Communications Commission to deny a license application to the ARCOS-1 Undersea Cable System, which sought to add a landing station in Cuba.
On 1 and 2 November, the General Assembly will consider and vote on the aforementioned draft resolution "Necessity of ending the economic, financial and commercial embargo of the United States against Cuba". Once again, the international community will raise its voice and overwhelmingly reject this unjust, illegal and cruel policy.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations