On June 30, U.S. President Donald J. Trump directed a strengthening of U.S. policy regarding Cuba by issuing a National Security Presidential Memorandum and the Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Strengthens the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba.[1]
The Fact Sheet provides the following summary of the National Security Presidential Memorandum (HSPM):
“Strengthen the Policy of the U.S. toward Cuba”
- “This NSPM restores and strengthens the robust Cuba policy from the President’s first term, reversing the Biden Administration’s revocation that eased pressure on the Cuban regime.”
- “The NSPM ends economic practices that disproportionately benefit the Cuban government, military, intelligence, or security agencies at the expense of the Cuban people.”
- “Direct or indirect financial transactions with entities controlled by the Cuban military, such as Grupo de Administration Impresario S.A. (GAESA), and its affiliates are prohibited, with exceptions for transactions that advance U.S. policy goals or support the Cuban people.”
- “It enforces the statutory ban on U.S. tourism to Cuba and ensures compliance through regular audits and mandatory record-keeping of all travel-related transactions for at least five years.”
- “The NSPM supports the economic embargo of Cuba and opposes calls in the United Nations and other international forums for its termination.”
- “The NSPM amplifies efforts to support the Cuban people through the expansion of internet services, free press, free enterprise, free association, and lawful travel.”
- “It ensures the ‘Wet Foot, Dry Foot’ policy remains terminated to discourage dangerous, unlawful migration.”
- “The NSPM ensures that engagement between the United States and Cuba advances the interests of the United States and the Cuban people, including through promoting human rights, fostering a private sector independent of government control, and enhancing national security.”
- “The NSPM mandates a review of human rights abuses in Cuba, including unlawful detentions and inhumane treatment, and requires a report on fugitives from American justice living in Cuba or being harbored by the Cuban government.”
“Promoting A Stable, Prosperous, and Free Cuba:
“President Trump is committed to fostering a free and democratic Cuba, addressing the Cuban people’s long-standing suffering under a Communist regime.”
- “The Cuban people have long suffered under a Communist regime that suppresses their legitimate aspirations for freedom and prosperity, arbitrarily detains dissidents, and holds political prisoners in inhumane conditions.”
- “Violence and intimidation against dissidents occur with impunity, while families of political prisoners face retaliation for their advocacy,”
- “The regime harasses worshippers, blocks free association by civil society organizations, and denies free speech, including through limited internet access and the absence of a free press.”
- “The Cuban government harbors fugitives of American justice and fails to meet the basic requirements of a free and just society.”
“Holding the Cuban Regime Accountable:
“President Trump is continuing efforts from his first term to stand with the Cuban people and hold the regime accountable.”
- “In his first term, President Trump implemented a robust policy towards Cuba, reversing the Obama Administration’s one-sided deal that eased restrictions without securing meaningful reforms for the Cuban people.”
- “Now, President Trump is once again implementing a firm policy stance.
- “President Trump is fulfilling his campaign promise: “As president, I will again stand with the people of Cuba in their long quest for justice, liberty and freedom.”
- “President Trump also recently implemented a new travel ban that applies to Cuba.’”
- “It lists Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism and cites its failure to cooperate or share sufficient law enforcement information with the United States, its historical refusal to accept back its removable nationals, and its high visa overstay rate.”
Public Commentary on these Measures[2]
Matthew Lee of the Associated Press noted that these changes were not surprising except for its call for the U.S. to find “ways to shut down all tourism to the island and to restrict educational tours to groups that are organized only by American citizens.”
The Trump administration also has made Cuba one of seven countries facing heightened restrictions on visitors and revoked temporary legal protections for about 300,000 Cubans, which had protected them from deportation. The administration also has announced visa restrictions on Cuban and foreign government officials involved in Cuba’s medical missions, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called ‘forced labor.’”
Lee quoted Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez as saying these U.S. measures “strengthens the aggression & economic blockade that punishes the whole Cuban people and is the main obstacle to our development. It’s a criminal behavior that violates the #Human rights of an entire nation.”
Lee also stated that Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio recently had said that the U.S. was “trying to discredit [Cuban] medical missions” and had “criticized reversal of policy of [U.S.] policy welcoming Cubans to the U.S.”
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[1] Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Strengthens the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba, White House (June 30, 2025). National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-5, White House (June 30, 2025);
[2] Lee (AP), Trump moves to toughen US policy on Cuba, Wash. Post (June 30, 2025).