Latest News About Donald Trump Cuba policy shift

Updated 2026-06-17 19:00

In 2017, Trump announced changes to U.S. policy toward Cuba, canceling the Obama-era approach and restricting travel and business restrictions to squeeze the Cuban regime. He described the policy as reversing a "completely one-sided deal," and linked sanctions to releasing political prisoners, free elections, and allowing party legalization. The administration outlined benchmarks that, once met, could alter sanctions, while signaling a harsher stance than the prior administration, continuing long-standing objectives to coerce the Cuban government while maintaining some engagement options.

Sources

Fact Sheet on Cuba Policy - Trump White House Archives

div President Donald J. Trump is changing the policy of the United States toward Cuba to achieve four objectives: 1. Enhance compliance with United States law—in particular the provisions that govern the embargo of Cuba and the ban on tourism; 2. Hold the Cuban regime accountable for oppression and human rights abuses ignored under the Obama policy; 3. Further the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and those of the Cuban people; and 4. Lay the groundwork for...

trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov