Cuba has responded to the recent economic measures announced by the US with skepticism, calling them “limited” in their impact on the Cuban private sector. The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) unveiled new rules that are intended to support small businesses in Cuba by granting them access to various financial services and online platforms offered by US companies.
Despite these gestures, Cuba maintains that the fundamental sanctions imposed on the country remain intact, along with additional measures that constitute a policy of maximum pressure towards Havana. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba criticized the US government’s decision, arguing that it reflects a distorted view of the Cuban reality. The statement criticized the attempt to artificially separate the private and public sectors, highlighting that both are integral parts of the Cuban business system and society as a whole.
The Cuban government suspects that the US aims to exploit the private sector for political ends against the Revolution, leveraging it as a tool to achieve regime change objectives. Additionally, the ministry emphasized that the public sector in Cuba plays a vital role in providing essential services, such as education, healthcare, culture, sports, and more, to all Cubans, including those employed in the private sector.
In response to the new OFAC rules, small Cuban businesses are now granted access to US bank accounts, payment platforms, and various online services. Furthermore, US companies are permitted to offer cloud-based services to their Cuban counterparts. While these initiatives may seem beneficial on the surface, Cuba remains cautious, viewing them as a calculated move by the US government to advance its political agenda.
The latest developments highlight the complex relationship between the US and Cuba, characterized by decades of tensions and diplomatic challenges. As both countries navigate the intricacies of their interactions, the human interest aspect of this story lies in the impact these economic measures will have on the lives of ordinary Cubans striving to sustain their businesses and livelihoods amidst geopolitical uncertainties.
