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Fresh US sanctions against Cuba for backing Maduro
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IANS | 19 Oct, 2019
The US has announced a series of fresh sanctions against Cuba in
retaliation over Havana's support for Venezuelan President Nicolas
Maduro.
The announcement of new sanctions, which will come into
effect on October 21, was made by the US Department of Commerce on
Friday through the Federal Register, the government's official journal,
reports Efe news.
This move "supports the Administration's
earlier decision to hold the Cuban regime accountable for repressing its
own people as well as continuing to provide support to the illegitimate
(President Nicolas) Maduro regime", said the Commerce Department.
The
agency's statement claimed that the Cuban regime "denies its citizens
their fundamental rights" while supporting Maduro's government by
providing it with Cuban troops and intelligence.
According to the
document, starting on October 21, Washington will restrict Cuba's
access to international goods containing 10 per cent of US-made
components, a substantial reduction compared to the current 25-per cent
cut-off.
The sanctions will prevent US companies and citizens
from buying goods promoting Cuba's political system, though they do not
limit purchases from the private sector.
The US allows donations
of scientific, cultural and educational material to aid the Cuban
general public, but has now included an exception to current regulations
to ensure that the Havana government or the ruling Communist Party of
Cuba do not benefit from the donations.
The Cuban government responded to the US' latest maneouver soon after the draft of sanctions was released.
Cuban
President Miguel Diaz-Canel tweeted: "The US announces new measures
tightening the blockade on Cuba. This action expresses impotence, moral
degradation and imperial contempt. It's an inhuman, cruel, unjust and
genocidal act that we strongly reject.
"We will not give in and shall give a sovereign response."
The
island's Foreign Affairs Minister, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, also
condemned the sanctions, which he described as "representative of a
morally bankrupt policy, internationally isolated and promoted by a
corrupt government".
Since taking office in 2017, US President
Donald Trump has toughened Washington's diplomatic and economic
stranglehold on Cuba by reducing diplomatic staff, imposing new trade
sanctions, banning Cuban vessels and restricting American citizens'
travel to the island.
These aggressive measures have had
noticeable effects on Cuba's economy, particularly in areas such as
tourism, which has seen a marked decline in the number of visitors.
Cuba
was taken off the list in 2015 during the administration of Trump's
predecessor, Barack Obama, who sought to reduce diplomatic tensions with
Havana during his two terms in office.
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Customs Exchange Rates |
Currency |
Import |
Export |
US Dollar
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66.20
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64.50 |
UK Pound
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87.50
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84.65 |
Euro
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78.25
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75.65 |
Japanese
Yen |
58.85 |
56.85 |
As on 13 Aug, 2022 |
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