In another measure to strengthen its economic sanctions, the United States ban cruises in Cuba

United States announced new restrictions on cruise travel towards Cuba, to a degree presented as a punishment for serving as a "point of support for communism" in the region.

The decision consolidates the sanctions policy chosen by Donald Trump 's administration with regard to the island, which reversed the thawing strategy in which Barack Obama progressed in 2014.

"Cuba continues to play a destabilizing role in the Western Hemisphere, give a point of support to communism in the region and support American opponents in places like Venezuela and Nicaragua, promoting instability, undermining the rule of law and repressing democratic processes, "said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

"This administration adopted the strategic decision to reverse the reduction of sanctions and other restrictions imposed on the Cuban regime; these actions will help keep the dollars away from the hands of the army and the intelligence and security services of Cuba", he added, quoted by Europa Press.

Restrictions ban group educational trips from Americans to the Caribbean island, as well as the export of private boats and aircraft from the United States. The ban includes transfers of cruises and yachts, as well as private flights and business flights.

The ban severely hits the tourism sector of the island, which it is the second source of income in Cuban State currency, only preceded by the export of professional services.

"They will fail again," warned Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez at first. "I strongly reject the announcement by the United States of new sanctions against Cuba, which restrict the movement of Americans and reinforce the blockade, they intend to stifle the economy and to to undermine the standard of living of Cubans to extract political concessions, "he added. .

According to figures from the Cuban Ministry of Tourism, in the first four months of this year, the United States was the second country to send visitors to Cuba, with 257,500 people until April. with a year-on-year growth of 93.5% Although legally, Americans are not allowed to visit the island as tourists.

55% of these travelers arrived in the country by cruise, a modality that increased 48% over the previous year, reported the agency. EFE.

The White House has tightened its sanctions against Havana in recent months. Even Trump threatened Cuba on April 30 with a "full embargo" and "the highest level of sanctions" if his interference in the Venezuelan crisis did not stop.

The United States denounced in front of different instances that Nicolás Maduro managed to stay in power in Venezuela for the protection guaranteed by the agents sent by the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel.

A few weeks ago, the United States government announced the full implementation of the Helms-Burton Act, which allows for the prosecution of property confiscated in Cuba after the revolution. The 1996 law came into force after a suspension of its application for decades because of the strong rejection it has aroused internationally.