President Trump: U.S. Visitors Prohibited From Using Hotels In Cuba Owned By Cuban Government; No Importation Of Alcohol & Tobacco Products; New License Requirements
/United States Department of the Treasury
Washington DC
Treasury Amends Regulations to Restrict Revenue Sources to the Cuban Regime
September 23, 2020
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) to further implement the President’s foreign policy to deny the Cuban regime sources of revenue. The changes restrict lodging at certain properties in Cuba; importing Cuban-origin alcohol and tobacco products; attending or organizing professional meetings or conferences in Cuba; and participating in and organizing certain public performances, clinics, workshops, competitions, and exhibitions in Cuba. These regulatory amendments will become effective upon publication in the Federal Register.
“The Cuban regime has been redirecting revenue from authorized U.S. travel for its own benefit, often at the expense of the Cuban people,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “This Administration is committed to denying Cuba’s oppressive regime access to revenues used to fund their malign activities, both at home and abroad.”
For the latest changes to the CACR, which can be found at 31 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 515, see here. Major elements of the changes in the revised Treasury regulations include:
Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List
OFAC is incorporating a new provision into the CACR that prohibits any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction from lodging, paying for lodging, or making any reservation for or on behalf of a third party to lodge at any property that the Secretary of State has identified as owned or controlled by the Cuban government, a prohibited official of the Government of Cuba, a prohibited member of the Cuban Communist Party, a close relative of a prohibited official of the Government of Cuba, or a close relative of a prohibited member of the Cuban Communist Party.
Concurrent with this change, the State Department is creating a new list, the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List, to identify the names, addresses, or other identifying details, as relevant, of properties subject to this prohibition.
Cuban-Origin Alcohol and Tobacco
OFAC is amending the CACR to exclude the importation into the United States of Cuban-origin alcohol and tobacco products from several general authorizations. Previously, the importation of Cuban-origin alcohol and tobacco products as accompanied baggage was authorized for non-commercial use under certain circumstances.
Professional Meetings and Conferences
OFAC is eliminating the general authorization related to attendance at, or organization of, professional meetings or conferences in Cuba. These activities may be authorized via specific license on a case-by-case basis to the extent not authorized under other travel-related authorizations.
Public Performances, Clinics, Workshops, Competitions, and Exhibitions
OFAC is eliminating the general authorization related to public performances, clinics, workshops, other athletic or non-athletic competitions, and exhibitions. These activities may be authorized via specific license on a case-by-case basis. As a result of this amendment, the only remaining general license for participation in and organization of athletic competitions in Cuba will be the general license for athletic competitions by amateur or semi-professional athletes or athletic teams.
LINK To OFAC Federal Regulation Publication
United States Department of State
Washington DC
23 September 2020
Announcement of the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List
Press Statement
Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
Today, the Department of State is announcing the creation of the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations (CPA) List. The CPA List includes 433 properties that are owned or controlled by the Cuban regime or certain well-connected insiders.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced regulatory changes today to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) restricting certain transactions related to lodging at properties identified on the CPA List.
The Cuban government’s profits from properties in the hospitality industry owned or controlled by the Cuban government, senior regime officials, Cuban Communist Party leadership, and their families, disproportionately benefit the Cuban government, all at the expense of the Cuban people, who continue to face repression at the hands of the regime. Authorized travelers should instead stay in private accommodations, or casas particulares, owned and operated by legitimately independent entrepreneurs.
OFAC’s action today also restricts importing Cuba-origin alcohol and tobacco products; attending or organizing certain professional meetings or conferences in Cuba; and participating in and organizing certain public performances, clinics, workshops, competitions, and exhibitions in Cuba. Taken together, these actions seek to deprive the Cuban regime of the resources it uses to oppress the Cuban people and fund its interference in Venezuela, to the detriment of the citizens of both countries.
The United States will continue to support the Cuban people in their desire for a democratic government, economic prosperity, and respect for human rights, including freedom of religion, expression, and association.
LINK To Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List Initial Publication
