Category

Sanctions Targeting Cuba

Category

On May 16, 2022, the Biden administration announced the relaxing of certain limited Cuban sanctions and other regulatory changes to expand communication, travel, and commerce between the United States and Cuba. The related fact sheet can be found here. The US State Department outlined four changes to Cuba policy in the announcement: Facilitate family reunification: The Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program will be reinstated and capacity for consular services and visa processing will continue to…

On October 27, 2020, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) published a final rule amending the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (“CACR”) restricting certain remittance-related transactions to and from Cuba (the “Final Rule”). OFAC also published updated and new Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) related to transactions with Cuba. Significantly, the recent amendments will have the practical effect of making remittances to Cuba more difficult. The Final Rule becomes effective on November 26,…

On September 24, 2020, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) published a Final Rule in the Federal Register that amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (“CACR”) to further implement the President’s foreign policy to deny the Cuban regime sources of revenue.  Major elements of the changes include: Professional (Including Business) Meetings and Conferences: The Final Rule amends a CACR general license to eliminate the authorization for CACR parties to attend…

On October 21, 2019, the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) amended the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) to further restrict exports and reexports of items to Cuba (“the Amendment“).  According to BIS, the Amendment was made to further restrict the Cuban government’s access to items subject to the EAR, thereby supporting the US government’s national security and foreign policy decision to hold the Cuban regime accountable for its repression of the Cuban people and its continuing support for the Maduro regime in Venezuela.  The Amendment further implements President Trump’s June 2017 National Security Presidential Memorandum on Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba.  BIS also updated Frequently Asked Questions regarding Cuba, and the US Commerce Department issued a related press release here.

The same week, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo wrote to the Secretary of Transportation noting the Administration’s policy and requested that the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) suspend all scheduled US carrier flights between the United States and all airports in Cuba, except José Martí International Airport (HAV) in Havana.  DOT issued an order suspending service on October 25, 2019.  US air carriers have 45 days to discontinue all scheduled air service between the United States and all airports in Cuba, except José Martí International Airport.  Please see here for the State Department’s press release.

A summary of specific changes/clarifications made by the Amendment are described below: