The U.S. embargo against Cuba remains in place – it can only be removed by U.S. Congress – yet former President Obama used executive authority to modify certain aspect of the embargo including importation rules for goods produced by independent Cuban entrepreneurs. Goods and Services Eligible for Importation from Cuba In accordance with the policy … Read more
Since the 1960s, the U.S. has maintained an embargo against Cuba through various laws, regulations, and presidential proclamations that restricts trade, travel, and financial transactions. Key legislation related to the embargo includes the following: • Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917 (TWEA). TWEA granted the President broad authority to impose embargoes on foreign countries … Read more
U.S. President Obama made a significant statement today about the U.S. government’s approach to Cuba as well a further loosening of Embargo restrictions. Here is the President’s statement: Today, I approved a Presidential Policy Directive that takes another major step forward in our efforts to normalize relations with Cuba. This Directive takes a comprehensive and … Read more
Newsweek’s current cover story alleges Donald Trump illegally conducted business in Communist Cuba in violation of American trade bans – the embargo – in the late 1990s. Here is a real story about another New York business man who violated the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba. Before 2013, Adem Arici was one of the most … Read more
The path to investing in Cuba is as colorful as the island nation’s history. For Americans, in particular, one needs to sort through all the various US sanctions before evaluating Cuba’s own complex rules and restrictions. And for non-Americans, the US Helms-Burton Act provides for severe penalties for tripping up this law – in fact, … Read more
Every year for the past 23 years Cuba has introduced a resolution at the UN’s General Assembly criticizing the US embargo against Cuba and demanding its end. The US has lost all previous UN votes by an overwhelming margin. Last year’s tally was 188-2 with only Israel siding with the US. This year, Obama may … Read more
According to a report from Reuters, U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew on Friday issued regulations easing restrictions on American companies seeking to do business in Cuba and opening up travel in the latest action to weaken the U.S. trade embargo amid warming relations with the island nation. The rules, effective on Monday, Sept. 21, address … Read more
Can they happen? By Peter Quinter Op-Ed Contributor Since I first moved to Florida in 1981, worked as an attorney at U.S. Customs in 1989, and been a private attorney for one of the largest law firms in Florida since 1994, I have been intrigued by the international relations between the United States and Cuba. … Read more
President Obama’s announcement of a historic reconciliation with Cuba contained a vexing proviso that he does not have authority to lift the embargo because it is codified in legislation by Congress. While the embargo was first imposed in the early 1960s under the authority of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Trading with … Read more
Will the long thaw yield a new movement? By David P. Rowe Op-Ed Contributor John Kerry, the American Secretary of State visited Cuba on Friday, with the main objective to officially reopen the United States Embassy in Havana. The Kerry trip is the most significant trip to Cuba from a senior American official in a half … Read more
