"The US President, ill-advised once again, takes decisions that favor the political interests of an extremist minority of Cuban origin in the state of Florida, who driven by petty motivation, do not desist from their objective to punish Cuba and its people for exercising the legitimate and sovereign right to be free and for having taken the reins of their own destiny", the statement said. However, the government also made it clear that it is willing to continue "respectful dialogue" and cooperation with Washington on issues of mutual interest.
Saying that the aim was to fix what Trump has called a "bad deal" struck by Obama, U.S. officials said the new administration would leave the door open to improved relations if Cuba undertakes democratic reforms such as allowing free elections and releasing political prisoners.
As a part of the deal forged with Cuban President Raul Castro, Obama eased economic and trade restrictions that dated back to the USA embargo on Cuba that began in the 1960s.
The policy clarifies that any further improvements in the United States-Cuba relationship will depend entirely on the Cuban government's willingness to improve the lives of the Cuban people, including through promoting the rule of law, respecting human rights, and taking concrete steps to foster political and economic freedoms.
Once implemented Trump's policy is expected to curtail USA travel by creating a maze of rules for Americans to obey.
It's a policy change President Trump insists will correct what he called a "terrible and misguided deal" by his predecessor. "All the (U.S. economic) embargo has brought upon Cuba is misery".
"When the Obama administration stopped condemning human rights violations in Cuba, the regime here said "look we can do this and nothing happens, so we can continue repressing more forcefully", said Jose Daniel Ferrer, who leads the Patriotic Union of Cuba, the largest dissident group. US airlines and cruise ships will still be allowed to serve the island 90 miles south of Florida. He was warmly received by Cuban-Americans and the symbolic importance of the policy wasn't lost on those in attendance at the event.
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But Mr Comey also testified that, to his knowledge, the president had not tried to stop the Russian Federation investigation. Trump wrote on Twitter, in a pair of messages that ended with a reference to his campaign slogan "Make America Great Again".
Under the revised travel policy, USA officials say there will be tighter enforcement to make sure Americans legally fit the 12 authorized categories they claim to be traveling under, which could spook many visitors, wary of receiving a hefty fine. Trump's approach is aimed at halting the flow of US cash to the country's military while maintaining diplomatic relations.
Other categories of allowed travel to Cuba, such as for Cuban-Americans to visit family and educational exchanges, will still be allowed. Only the U.S. Congress can lift the embargo, and lawmakers, especially those of Cuban heritage, like Sen.
"We will respect Cuban sovereignty", he said, "but we will never turn our backs on the Cuban people".
This new policy aims to limit transactions with GAESA, run by Gen.Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Callejas, Raul Castro's son-in-law.
Moreover, Obama's efforts allowed Americans to use credit and debit cards in the country and to send money to relatives in Cuba from the United States.
Targeting payments to the Cuban military will have an impact on the tourism industry because of the military's vast involvement in the broader Cuban economy, including through ownership of the Gaviota hotel chain.
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