New US sanctions against Cuba

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Tourists on a street in Old Havana, May 7, 2019. Cuba welcomed 1.93 million visitors in the first four months of the year, an increase of 7% over 2018. Tourism represents 2nd economic activity. YAMIL LAGE / AFP

The United States now prohibits group travel on the island. The sanctions apply to cruise ships, yachts, commercial or private aircraft. They should come into effect this Wednesday, June 5th. This is, according to Washington, punishing Cuba for its destabilizing role in the region. Havana is particularly accused of supporting the regime of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.

With our correspondent in Washington, Anne Corpet

" The United States makes the Cuban regime responsible for its repression against its people and its interference in Venezuela. Encouraged by Cuba, Nicolas Maduro has created a humanitarian disaster that destabilizes the region, "reads the release of the State Department announcing the new sanctions.

The Administration has advanced the President's Cuba by ending 'veiled tourism' to Cuba and imposing restrictions on vessels. We will continue to take actions to restrict the Cuban regime's access to US dollars. https://t.co/uwxd5qktKY

American diplomacy purposely targets the island's tourism industry: it denounces the strong economic links of the sector with the Cuban military authorities and security forces.

" These sanctions will prevent US dollars from being used by Cuban intelligence services ," said the Treasury Secretary. The Republican senator from Florida welcomed these new punitive measures.

" Cuba continues to export its terrorist regime, the United States must use all available means to prevent it, " said Marco Rubio.

The measure could help the presidential party secure the vote of the Cuban community exiled in this key state, in the run-up to the 2020 poll. According to figures from the Cuban government, more than six hundred thousand Americans visited the island in 2018, most aboard cruise ships.

The head of Cuban diplomacy Bruno Rodriguez has denounced on Twitter the will of the United States "to asphyxiate the economy and harm the standard of living of Cubans to extract political concessions." " They will still fail, " he added.

Rechazo energicamente el anuncio of #EEUU of nuevas sanciones contra #Cuba that restringen los viajes de estadounidenses y endurecen elbloqueo. Pretenden asfixiar the economía y dañar el nivel de los cubanos para arrancarnos concesiones políticas. Fracasarán otra vez.

►A read: Trade: Washington increases pressure on Cuba, at the expense of the EU