Trump expected to reverse Obama's opening to Cuba
President Trump plans to curb former President Barack Obama's efforts to open relations between the U.S. and Cuba, the Los Angeles Times reports. The decision would pinch off a boom in American tourism that has centered on Havana and other Cuban cities, although Trump is expected to leave open the U.S. embassy, allow Cuban-Americans to send remittances to their families, and continue to allow special immigration status for Cubans.
Urging on Trump are Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), both Cuban-American lawmakers. In particular, Axios describes the White House's policy to be a "big win" for Rubio "who tutored Trump on the issue (including in debates), and kept prodding for this announcement." Trump is expected to make the announcement on Friday from Miami, where Rubio is likely to join him.
Supporters of Obama's policy note that "normalization was never going to create democracy in Cuba overnight," in the words of Tomas Bilbao, the founder of a consulting firm that actively promotes U.S.-Cuban rapprochement. "The idea was to increase the flow of people, resources, and ideas and make the Cuban people less reliant on the Cuban state." The Los Angeles Times adds that the Trump policy "could allow Russia and China to more easily step in to fill the void."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, who heads a Cuban opposition group, argued in a letter to Trump that "the United States must continue to be the first defender of those who lack rights and freedoms in the world."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
'Republicans want to silence Israel's opponents'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 19, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - priority delivery, USPS on fire, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published