Credit: Gary Raynaldo / Cubans buying meats and eggs in a shop located in Old Havana,  Cuba. 

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The Trump administration tightened sanctions on Cuba Friday by limiting the amount of money that Cuban Americans can send to their families living in Cuba. The U.S. Treasury Department will limit remittances to $1,000 per person per quarter when they take effect on Oct. 9. The new rules also will no longer allow transfers of money to nonfamily members.

“We are taking additional steps to financially isolate the Cuban regime.  The United States holds the Cuban regime accountable for its oppression of the Cuban people and support of other dictatorships throughout the region, such as the illegitimate Maduro regime. Through these regulatory amendments, Treasury is denying Cuba access to hard currency, and we are curbing the Cuban government’s bad behavior while continuing to support the long-suffering people of Cuba.”

-U.S.  Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. 

These actions mark an ongoing commitment to implement the President’s Cuba policy, Mnuchin stated.  Previously, on June 5, 2019, OFAC further restricted non-family travel to Cuba by removing an authorization for group people-to-people educational travel, pursuant to an April 17, 2019 foreign policy announcement.   The Obama administration removed limits on family remittances in 2009 as it took steps to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba and later ended restrictions on transfers to nonfamily members.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Reacts To New US Sanctions 

New US sanctions against Cuba. Lies, slanders and hypocrisy as the excuse of the #US Government to tighten the blockade. Because of their failure in Venezuela, they're viciously charging against #Cuba. We shall resist and overcome. #SomosCubahttps://t.co/e5haweHj3B

— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) September 7, 2019

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said via  Twitter Saturday that Washington is lashing out at Cuba with new sanctions as the United States has failed in its attacks against Venezuela.

Tough Times In Cuba As  U.S. Tightens Economic Sanctions 

Credit: Gary Raynaldo /  ‘Cuba Libre!’  emblazoned on wall of building in Havana. 

Cubans are feeling the pinch of the Trump administration’s tough new sanctions in the socialist’s island , which include restrictions on Americans visiting Cuba, limiting both U.S. visas and also the funds that U.S.-based relatives can send back to the island.  Critics of the tougher U.S. policy say it is aimed at punishing Cuba for its continued, unwavering  support of embattled Venezuela President Nicholas Maduro, but is hurting ordinary Cubans, especially the restriction on tourism.  There have been reports of food rationing amid shortages in Cuba of such food stables like chicken. 

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo /  Cubans buying eggs in a shop located in Old Havana,  Cuba.