CHALLENGING THE CUBAN REGIME:
Today, President Donald J. Trump took a bold step by signing an Executive Order that declares a national emergency. This move establishes a framework for imposing tariffs on goods from nations that supply oil to Cuba, effectively shielding U.S. national security and foreign policy from the detrimental actions of the Cuban government.
- The Executive Order introduces a novel tariff mechanism, enabling the U.S. to levy extra tariffs on imports from any nation that directly or indirectly provides oil to Cuba.
- This Order empowers the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce to undertake necessary actions, including the issuance of rules and guidelines, to enforce the tariff system and related measures.
- The President retains the authority to modify the Order should Cuba or involved nations make substantial strides in addressing these threats or aligning with U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives.
ADDRESSING CUBA’S MALICIOUS INFLUENCE:
The President is taking decisive steps to confront the misdeeds of the Cuban regime, holding it accountable for its support of hostile entities, terrorism, and regional instability that jeopardize American security and diplomatic interests.
- The Cuban regime has aligned itself with numerous antagonistic nations and hostile actors, hosting military and intelligence operations. Notably, Cuba is home to Russia’s largest overseas signals intelligence facility, which is primarily focused on pilfering sensitive national security information from the U.S.
- Cuba also harbors transnational terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas, aiding adversaries in the Western Hemisphere and undermining U.S. sanctions and regional stability.
- The regime is notorious for persecuting political dissidents, stifling free speech and press, profiting corruptly from the hardships of its citizens, and inciting chaos by disseminating communist ideology throughout the region.
- These actions pose an extraordinary and unusual threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy, necessitating an immediate response to safeguard American citizens and interests.
PUTTING AMERICA FIRST:
President Trump has consistently taken a firm stance against regimes that pose threats to U.S. security and interests, achieving what many have failed to do—holding adversaries accountable.
- Continuing the efforts from his first term, President Trump stands firm with the Cuban populace while holding the regime responsible for its actions.
- During his initial term, Trump implemented a robust policy towards Cuba, reversing the previous administration’s lenient approach that relaxed restrictions without ensuring meaningful reforms for the Cuban people.
- In June 2025, Trump enforced partial travel restrictions on Cuban nationals due to the regime’s classification as a state sponsor of terrorism, its lack of cooperation with U.S. law enforcement, its historical refusal to accept the return of its own nationals, and its high visa overstay rates.
- In the same month, he signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) aimed at reinforcing U.S. policy towards Cuba.
- This is not the first time Trump has taken a hard line against hostile regimes—in recent months, he has ordered strikes on Iran’s nuclear capabilities and authorized operations to oust Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, making it clear that dictators and state sponsors of terrorism will be held accountable.
