At the end of the policy of détente: U.S. pressure on Cuba tightened

terminated The Trump government has tightened its sanctions polititk towards Cuba-and the US President Obama launched a relaxation policy final. So you can also companies from the EU.

By Martin Ganslmeier, ARD-Studio, Washington

It was a home game for John Bolton, the National security adviser of US President Donald Trump. In a speech in Miami, in front of hundreds of exiled Cubans and refugees from Venezuela Bolton promised: "The Troika of tyranny - Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua - will begin to crumble. There will soon be no way out for you. There is no way Back."

In Venezuela would win out in the end, the citizens. And then Cuba was in it. In Venezuela, despite Bolton's confidence in Victory - still the socialist Maduro Regime in Power, was the fault of the Communist government of Cuba. This practice great pressure on the military in Venezuela.

this is Also why the Trump government tightened their sanctions policy towards Cuba. As well as all of the relaxations on travel and money transfers, introduced by the former US-President Barack Obama, will be abolished. Travel by U.S. citizens to Cuba are limited to family visits. For money transfers to Cuba are now allowed per Person, only 4000 dollars in a year.

in the Future to apply new restrictions on travel and money transfers to Cuba.

in the Future, lawsuits against expropriations possible

The most far-reaching measure, but is valid as of may: exile-Cubans allowed to complain against the expropriation of their homes and land in Cuba before the US courts. These actions meet not only the Communist government in Cuba, but also foreign companies and individuals in making business in Cuba or invest in. Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo makes it clear: "Who does business in Cuba, should carefully examine whether this is on land I that were stolen from a failed Communist Experiment".

This could be chains of Hotels and restaurant, but also airlines and tourism companies from Europe. The legal possibility of such actions to the US courts, was decided in 1996 in the US Congress. However, all previous U.S. President refused to rely on an implementation - especially with regard to the allies in Europe and Canada, which traditionally maintain closer economic relations with Cuba than the USA.

EU warns of "action-spiral"

This reluctance Trump on now. Now 6000 exile-Cubans compensation have filed lawsuits. Experts expect tens of thousands of other lawsuits. The EU and Canada have reacted with sharp criticism and threatened with a lawsuit before the world trade organization WTO. The EU foreign policy chief Frederica Mogherini warned of a "action-spiral".

On the criticism of the Europeans in the PBS television addressed, responded Trumps National security adviser Bolton with a shrug: "I'm already looking forward to the meetings of the court, if the companies stand up and say: We should, however, continue to benefit from houses and property Expropriated, to compensate without you".

Similar to the Iran conflict, will cut off the Trump-government is now also the three hostile governments in Latin America, with harsh penalties the air. And much like in the Iran conflict, the Europeans will be forced, from trump's point of view, disturbing relaxation policy.

US intensify confrontation with Cuba and Venezuela
Martin Ganslmeier, NDR, Washington
18.04.2019 08:19 PM

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