Cuban Sanctions: Beyond The Headlines

On December 17, 2014, President Obama announced a "new course" in the United States' relationship with Cuba, including the re-establishment of diplomatic ties and the beginning of a roll-back in sanctions. The White House issued a Fact Sheet setting forth planned changes, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/12/17/fact-sheet-charting-new-course-cuba.

Overview of Cuba Policy Shift

Presently, the U.S. sanctions against Cuba are among the most restrictive within the U.S. sanctions regime, including a comprehensive trade embargo, a travel ban, restrictions on dealings with Cuban nationals anywhere located, and application of the sanctions to non-U.S. subsidiaries of U.S. companies, with very few and limited license exceptions. Following the successful exchange of prisoners on December 17, the White House announced its intent to liberalize the U.S. sanctions policy towards Cuba, as well as to re-establish diplomatic relations severed in 1961.