Trump Administration Declares National Emergency Regarding Cuba, Imposes Oil Restrictions
The Trump administration escalated its pressure on Cuba Thursday, January 18, 2019, by imposing restrictions on oil shipments to the island nation. This action follows the curtailment of Venezuelan oil supplies to Cuba. President Trump signed an executive order declaring a ”national emergency” with respect to Cuba and announcing tariffs on countries that provide petroleum to the Caribbean nation, perhaps impacting Mexico’s ability to resume oil shipments to Havana.
“The policies, practices, and actions of the government of Cuba are designed to harm the United States and support antagonistic countries, transnational terrorist groups, and malign actors who seek to undermine the United States,” the executive order states.
The order further asserts that “the situation with respect to Cuba represents an unusual and extraordinary threat” to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. According to a white House statement released on January 17,2019,the administration aims to limit cuba’s access to resources that support its government and activities deemed detrimental to U.S.interests.
This move builds upon the Trump administration’s broader policy of tightening restrictions on Cuba, reversing some of the Obama-era normalization efforts. In November 2018, the U.S. State Department reimposed restrictions on Americans traveling to cuba, limiting travel to authorized group tours.
