President Trump Announces Changes To US-Cuba Policy

MIAMI, FL — President Trump announced new restrictions on policies between the United States and Cuba on Friday, dialing back — though not completely reversing — relations that were loosened under President Barack Obama in what was then seen as a landmark diplomatic move.

Speaking in front of a large crowd in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood, Trump said that the easing of travel and trade regulations announced by Obama does not help the Cuban people and only helps the Cuban regime.

"Last year, I promised to be a voice against repression," Trump said. He added that his administration would not glamorize or excuse the Castro regime and said it was hard to think of a policy that makes less sense than Obama's policy toward Cuba.

Trump announced that effective immediately, he was canceling the last administration's "completely one-sided deal with Cuba." He said his administration would be enforcing the embargo and the ban on tourism. Trump made it clear that sanctions against the country would not be lifted until all political prisoners were freed, freedom of assembly was recognized and free and internationally supervised elections were held in the country.

"The harboring of criminals and fugitives will end," he said. "You will have no choice."

Trump was accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence. Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, both Cuban-Americans, played a major role in drafting the new rules. Rubio was present in Miami for the announcement, along with Diaz-Balart and Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

Introducing Trump to the crowd, Rubio said Trump was bypassing the regime and reaching out to the Cuban people directly, putting in place policies that would benefit the people of Cuba and not the Castro regime.

Diplomatic ties between the two countries will remain in place in the hope that the two countries can forge a better path, Trump said.

Among the changes are a restriction on tourists going to Cuba. The current policy allowing individuals to go will be rescinded. Americans will still be allowed to travel as groups. Commercial flights to the island will be allowed to continue, as will cruise ships headed there. Americans will still be allowed to get their hands on Cuban rum and cigars.

The new policy, though, will ban most deals between American companies and the Armed Forces Business Enterprises Group, the Cuban conglomerate that operates over several levels of the island's economy.

You can watch a replay of the announcement below:

Colin Miner contributed to this report.

Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster (R) walk on the South Lawn prior to a Marine One departure from the White House June 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. President Trump traveled to Miami, Florida, to unveil new policy towards Cuba. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)