U.S. Adds Entities to Cuba Restricted List | Kharon The Kharon Brief

U.S. Adds Entities to Cuba Restricted List

The U.S. State Department said Friday it added four Cuban military-owned sub-entities to its restricted list.

The newly listed sub-entities are Hotel Palacio Cueto, Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski, Casa Editorial Verde Olivo and Departamento de Seguridad del Estado Editorial Capitán San Luis (DSE), according to the Federal Register. 

The additions took effect Friday, in accordance with a June 2017 U.S. presidential memorandum that prohibits direct financial transactions with listed entities and sub-entities that would benefit the Cuban military, intelligence and security services at the expense of the Cuban people, the State Department said.

It marks the latest escalation in pressure by the Trump administration against Cuba, having reversed the easing of measures and warming relations that occurred during the Obama years. The U.S. has ramped up its sanctions against Cuba, particularly over its support of Venezuela, and has allowed lawsuits by Cuban Americans who claim the government is benefiting from property Havana seized following the 1959 revolution.

“Sixty years after Castro promised to improve the lives of the Cuban people, the revolution continues to fail its people by squandering Cuba’s economic potential through mismanagement and oppressing brave Cubans that continue the fight for freedom,” the State Department said.

Also Friday, the State Department said it would impose visa restrictions on certain Cuban officials and other individuals involved in coercive labor practices relating to its overseas medical missions program. It didn’t name any of the officials to receive such restrictions.