Trump’s Hard Line on Cuba: Who Pays the Highest Price?

In an analysis published today by OnCuba News, journalist Milena Recio examines the current sanctions already imposed on Cuba by the second Trump administration and potential new restrictions as the White House implements what Secretary of State Marco Rubio has characterized as a return to a “Tough U.S.-Cuba Policy.” The article explores how these measures impact both Cubans on the island and Cuban-Americans in the United States.

The article highlights the rapid policy shifts seen in just two months since the administration took office, including:

• Cuba’s reinstated designation as a state sponsor of terrorism
• Potential travel bans for Cuban citizens
• Suspension of Western Union remittance services and all formal remittance channels
• Heightened U.S. Coast Guard scrutiny on vessels arriving from Cuba
• Visa restrictions targeting Cuba’s medical missions abroad
• Possible termination of export licenses that enable online food purchasing platforms

Ric Herrero, Executive Director of the Cuba Study Group, offered several key insights in the article. Regarding the position of Cuban-American members of the U.S. Congress, Herrero noted they “find themselves between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, the public outcry over Trump’s measures against I-220A holders, Biden parole beneficiaries, and democracy promotion programs is causing considerable heartburn in their offices. On the other hand, the representatives seek to appear as if they are ‘working with’ and influencing the White House without publicly opposing Trump, who remains more popular among Florida’s Republican base than they are themselves. It’s a difficult balancing act.”

Looking at future prospects, Herrero predicted that “measures will extend beyond restricting travel and visas to obstruct trade with Cuba, regardless of whether it’s with the Cuban state or the private sector. This week’s announcement that the U.S. Coast Guard will impose restrictions on vessels from Cuba is just one example. Of course, those vessels primarily transport food and basic household products, most of which are now marketed by the island’s private sector. And those most affected by travel restrictions to and from Cuba are always Cuban families. So, once again, ordinary Cubans will bear the brunt of these ‘pressure cooker’ sanctions.”

On the challenges facing moderate voices in the U.S.-Cuba debate, Herrero noted that “the main challenge facing moderates who favor better relations with Cuba is that they currently lack leverage. Trump doesn’t need them, so his political team isn’t interested in hearing their perspectives.” He added that “without positive developments within the island to highlight, moderates are limited to helping individual Cubans, drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis, and continuing to advocate for an uncertain return to common-sense policies that can pull Cuba out of the abyss.”

The article also features perspectives from other analysts, including former Cuban diplomat Carlos Alzugaray, former Congressman Joe García, Florida International University Professor Guillermo Grenier, and Cuban entrepreneurs Oniel Díaz and Marta Deus, who discuss the impacts of these policies on Cuban families and businesses on both sides of the Florida Straits.

This summary was prepared by the Cuba Study Group team, highlighting contributions from our Executive Director Ric Herrero to the original OnCubaNews article which can be read in its entirety here.

(Photo credit: Reuters / Norlys Perez)