PRESS STATEMENT ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE JULY 11, 2023 Today, we mark two years since tens of thousands of Cubans across the entire island raised their voices for their fundamental freedoms. The United States stands in solidarity with those in Cuba who continue to desire a free democracy where their voices are heard, their businesses prosper, and their children …
Read More» MEDIA NOTE April 12, 2023 U.S. – Cuba Migration Talks Held April 12 in Washington On April 12, U.S. and Cuban officials met in Washington, DC to discuss the implementation of the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords. This bilateral discussion reflects a commitment by both countries to regularly review the implementation of the Accords. The Department …
Read More» Press Release U.S. Embassy Havana Havana Cuba April 3, 2023 U.S. Embassy in Havana Hosts Finance and Marketing Expert Stacey Brandhorst As part of its ongoing work to empower entrepreneurs and support the private sector in Cuba, the U.S. Embassy in Havana hosted finance and marketing expert Stacey Brandhorst March 29 and March 31. During …
Read More» Statement By Chargé D’ Affaires Benjamin Ziff on Women’s History Month U.S. Embassy Havana March 2023 Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of women and girls in Cuba, the United States, and around the globe who have fought tirelessly and courageously for equality, justice, and opportunity. We salute …
Read More» Press Release Embassy of the United States of America, Havana, Cuba March 27, 2023 On March 23, Chargé d’Affaires Benjamin G. Ziff hosted the graduation ceremony for 42 participants from the 2021 and 2022 cohorts of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program. The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) provides women entrepreneurs with the …
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Today marks one year since Russia’s brutal and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. It also marks one year of incredible courage and sacrifice displayed by the Ukrainian people who, together with the United States and our allied democracies, have said “no” to Russia’s war of aggression, and “no” to dictatorship and despotism. The United …
Read More» American singer-songwriter Tonya Boyd-Cannon visited Havana from February 19 to 24 in honor of the Black History month. Boyd-Cannon’s visit, a collaboration among the U.S. Embassy in Havana, the Cuban Ministry of Culture, and the Cuban Institute of Music, hosted three concerts and exchanges with Cuban audiences. Mississippi-born and Louisiana-raised, Boyd-Cannon is a classically trained …
Read More» Press Release U.S. Embassy Havana Havana, Cuba February 16, 2023 Award-winning American documentary filmmaker Dawn Porter visited Havana for a series of screenings and exchanges with Cuban filmmakers and businesswomen from February 12 to 16, 2023. Her visit was sponsored by the American Film Showcase of the U.S. Department of State and the University of …
Read More» Announcement U.S. Embassy Havana Havana, Cuba January 31, 2023 Beginning March 1, 2023 the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, will only accept payment in U.S. currency for all Consular and USCIS services. The Embassy will no longer accept Cuban pesos. This includes payment for any U.S. citizen, visa, or parole services completed at the U.S. …
Read More» U.S. Embassy Havana Press Release Havana, Cuba January 29, 2023 Today, the U.S. Embassy in Havana supported a concert featuring American saxophonist, Ted Nash, at the Fábrica de Arte Cubano. During the concert, Nash appeared with Cuban pianist Alejandro Falcón, and his band Cubadentro as part of the Havana International Jazz Festival. Their performance marked …
Read More» U.S. Embassy Havana Press Release Havana, Cuba January 20, 2023 On January 19, the U.S. Embassy in Havana hosted a performance by the Cuban American Youth Orchestra (CAYO) at the residence of the Chargé d’Affaires. The program highlighted the strong cultural ties between the United States and Cuba, and featured a rousing performance, where both …
Read More» Yesterday, the Biden Administration announced processes through which nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, and their immediate family members, may request to come to the United States in a safe and orderly way through a parole program. Cubans who fail to apply for the parole program and who attempt to cross the U.S. southern …
Read More» WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to prepare for the end of the Title 42 public health order, which is currently the subject of multiple court orders, and a return to processing all noncitizens under the Department’s Title 8 immigration authorities. To that end, DHS today announced new border enforcement measures to …
Read More» Roosevelt Room 11:54 A.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Hi, everybody. Sorry to keep you waiting. There’s a lot going on. Today, I’d like to — the Vice President and I would like to talk you about how my administration is dealing with our situation in the southwest border. Now, these actions alone that I’m going to …
Read More» New Measures Leverage Success of Venezuela Enforcement Initiative to Limit Disorderly and Unsafe Migration While the courts have prevented the Title 42 public health order from lifting for now, the Biden-Harris Administration today is announcing new enforcement measures to increase security at the border and reduce the number of individuals crossing unlawfully between ports of …
Read More» U.S. Embassy Havana, Cuba December 30, 2022 Press Release The United States is working to ensure safe, legal, and orderly migration of Cubans by expanding consular operations in Havana and restarting the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program (CFRP). As previously announced, beginning January 4, 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Havana will resume full immigrant visa …
Read More» Department of Homeland Security Release Date: December 27, 2022 As required by today’s Supreme Court order, the Title 42 public health order will remain in effect and individuals who attempt to enter the United States unlawfully will continue to be expelled to Mexico or their home country. People should not listen to the lies of smugglers …
Read More» The White House December 9, 2022 As we look forward to honoring Human Rights Day this Saturday, December 10th, I once again call for the release of the hundreds of political prisoners in Cuba who remain in detention following the July 11, 2021 protests. In the face of oppression, these protestors bravely exercised their fundamental freedoms, …
Read More» MEDIA NOTE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON NOVEMBER 15, 2022 On November 15, U.S. and Cuban officials met in Havana to discuss the implementation of the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords. This is the second session in 2022 of these semiannual bilateral discussions on migration, reflecting a commitment by both countries to regularly review the implementation of the …
Read More» Statement U.S. Embassy Havana Havana, Cuba November 10, 2022 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur Mendoza Jaddou and Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter traveled with a delegation to Havana, Cuba, from November 8-10. In Havana, Director Jaddou discussed the resumption of Cuban Family Reunification Parole processing at U.S. Embassy Havana …
Read More» U.S. Department of State Ned Price, Department Spokesperson Press Statement October 18, 2022 Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian, the United States is providing to the Cuban people critical humanitarian aid to trusted international partners working directly with Cubans whose communities were devastated by the storm. The United States, through the U.S. Agency for …
Read More» September 21, 2022 U.S. Embassy in Havana Prepares for Full Resumption of Immigrant Visa Services in Cuba, Will Accelerate Processing of Cuban Family Reunification Consistent with our commitments under the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection to facilitate safe, orderly, humane, and regular migration, the United States is today announcing an expansion of regular …
Read More» MIAMI — Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast enhanced its operational posture and readiness to address a recent increase in irregular maritime migration originating from the Bahamas and Cuba through the Florida Straits, from Haiti through the Windward Pass, and from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico through the Mona Pass. Task Force partners are …
Read More» U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is resuming operations under the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program, beginning with pending CFRP program applications. USCIS has begun to mail interview notices to CFRP program petitioners with instructions for the beneficiary interview. On Aug. 18, USCIS began conducting interviews at the U.S. Embassy Havana. USCIS has limited …
Read More» Press Release U.S. Embassy Havana Havana, Cuba June 28, 2023 The U.S. Embassy in Havana organized a series of film screenings through the University of Southern California’s American Film Showcase June 22 to June 25. The screenings were a collaboration between the U.S. Embassy in Havana and the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic …
Read More» PRESS STATEMENT NED PRICE, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON MAY 16, 2022 The Administration’s policy towards Cuba continues to focus first and foremost on support for the Cuban people, including their human rights and their political and economic well-being. Today, the Administration announced measures to further support the Cuban people, providing them additional tools to pursue a life …
Read More» PRESS STATEMENT ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE NOVEMBER 30, 2021 In the wake of the Cuban regime’s actions targeting peaceful demonstrators on November 15, the Department of State has imposed visa restrictions on nine Cuban officials implicated in attempts to silence the voices of the Cuban people through repression and unjust detentions. The Department implemented …
Read More» In July, the people of Cuba bravely and spontaneously took to the streets to demand change from their government: respect for human rights, greater freedom of expression, and an end to economic mismanagement by an authoritarian regime that has failed to meet their most basic needs. The Cuban regime responded with violence, censorship, arrests, and …
Read More» Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on the Cuban Ministry of Interior (MININT) and Minister of Interior General Lazaro Alberto Álvarez Casas for their connection to serious human rights abuse under Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. MININT is designated for being responsible for, complicit …
Read More» The State Department has designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism for repeatedly providing support for acts of international terrorism in granting safe harbor to terrorists. The Trump Administration has been focused from the start on denying the Castro regime the resources it uses to oppress its people at home, and countering its malign …
Read More» QUESTION: Hello. We’re here today with Mike Pompeo, the 70th Secretary of State. And we’re beginning the new year with a conversation with him. Mr. Secretary, thank you very much for giving us time today. SECRETARY POMPEO: David, it’s great to be with you. Happy New Year to you. QUESTION: So did you get any …
Read More» PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE JANUARY 1, 2021 Today, the Department of State is announcing the addition of Banco Financiero International S.A. (BFI) to the Cuba Restricted List, effective upon publication in early January. BFI is a Cuban military-controlled commercial bank that benefits directly from financial transactions at the expense of the …
Read More» PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE DECEMBER 21, 2020 Today, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added three Cuban military-owned companies to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List). All property and interests in property of these entities that are in the United States or in the possession or control of persons …
Read More» U.S Department of the Treasury Press Releases December 18, 2020 Washington – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Ex-Cle Soluciones Biometricas C.A. (Ex-Cle C.A.) for materially supporting the illegitimate President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro Moros, including by providing goods and services that the Maduro regime used to carry …
Read More» When will the embassy reopen? The embassy has remained open to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services throughout the pandemic. Our first priority continues to be American citizen services. In September 2020, we resumed scheduling nonimmigrant and immigrant visa interview appointments, giving priority to certain categories of visas . Appointments for some categories of routine visas, including visitor …
Read More» The U.S. government strongly condemns the Cuban regime’s harassment of activists peacefully protesting the imprisonment of human rights defender Denis Solís González. We urge the Cuban government to dismiss this unjust sentence and release him without condition. The regime has repeatedly targeted Mr. Solís González, a musician and member of the San Isidro Movement (MSI) …
Read More» PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 24, 2020 Yesterday, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action to remove Cuba’s military from the process of sending remittances to Cuba. Once these changes to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) are effective, persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction will no longer be authorized to process remittances to …
Read More» Today, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added Cuban national Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja (also known as López-Callejas) to OFAC’s list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. Rodríguez López-Calleja is the head of the Cuban military-owned conglomerate Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA). All assets, property, and interests of property of …
Read More» U.S. Department of State For Immediate Release September 23, 2020 SPECIAL BRIEFING VIA TELEPHONE September 23, 2020 The Miami Hub Moderator: Greetings to everyone from the U.S. Department of State. I would like to welcome our participants who have dialed in from the United States and across the region. This is an on-the-record conference call …
Read More» U.S Department of State Press Statement Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State September 23, 2020 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 …
Read More» U.S Department of the Treasury Press Releases 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 …
Read More» The U.S. Government is gratified to see independent journalist Roberto de Jesús Quiñones reunited with his family after a year of undue suffering as a prisoner of conscience in Cuba. However, we repeat our strong condemnation of his unjust imprisonment for the simple act of doing his job. On August 7, 2019, the Cuban regime …
Read More» Location: Havana Event: On September 1, new COVID related restrictions will be imposed in the province of Havana by the local government. The new restrictive measures are related to the movement of people and vehicles, and the sale of products. The new measures include a daily curfew from 7pm until 5am, reduced operating hours for …
Read More» Today, I requested that the Department of Transportation suspend private charter flights to all Cuban airports, including Havana. This action will suspend all charter flights between the United States and Cuba over which the Department of Transportation exercises jurisdiction, except for authorized public charter flights to and from Havana and other authorized private charter flights …
Read More» As someone who has lived on the island and watched how the Cuban Communist regime portrays its medical missions program for several years, I regularly read articles about Cuba sending doctors and nurses overseas to fight COVID-19 with interest. I am compelled to comment because many articles present a case that skirts significant facts while …
Read More» JULY 15, 2020 The United States government welcomes the Pan American Health Organization’s decision to initiate an independent review of its role in the Mais Medicos program, pursuant to which PAHO provided well over a billion dollars to Cuba. The United States and other key PAHO member states have actively worked with PAHO leadership to …
Read More» U.S. Independence Day 2020 Remarks by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mara Tekach in Havana, Cuba July 4, 2020 “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” Leviticus 25:10 is inscribed in the Liberty Bell, the iconic United States symbol of Liberty. U.S. Americans sounded the Liberty Bell in celebration when the U.S. Declaration …
Read More» Catherine (bottom right), working as a Diplomat in Residence, speaking to graduate students at Florida International University (Photo courtesy of Catherine) Catherine Rodriguez, who leads the Consulate General in Lahore, Pakistan, is a Cuban American who grew up in Miami and has served in a variety of roles in the Foreign Service – both at the Agency for International Development and the Department …
Read More» JUNE 26, 2020 On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we honor and support victims and survivors throughout the world. We observe this day on the anniversary of the date on which the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment came into effect; 166 countries including …
Read More» JUNE 20, 2020 The United Nations Human Rights Council, now comprised of Venezuela and recently, Cuba and China, has long been and remains a haven for dictators and democracies that indulge them. It is a grave disappointment to those genuinely seeking to advance human dignity. Even so, the Council’s decision to vote yesterday on a …
Read More» Human rights defender José Daniel Ferrer has spent most of his adult life imprisoned for trying to make Cuba a free nation. Ferrer has worked tirelessly to ensure all Cubans have a voice in the affairs of their own country. The Castro regime has responded by beating and torturing Ferrer, harassing and threatening his family …
Read More» PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE JUNE 3, 2020 Today, the United States Government is announcing the addition of seven new subentities to the Cuba Restricted List. These seven subentities disproportionately benefit the Castro dictatorship, a regime which uses the profits from these businesses to oppress the Cuban people and to fund its interference in Venezuela, at the expense …
Read More» PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE MAY 20, 2020 On Cuban Independence Day, I extend my warm regards and best wishes to the people of Cuba. The United States joins you in celebrating the anniversary of Cuba’s independence, 118 years ago today. The struggle of the Cuban people continues. Your democratic system was …
Read More» On Cuban Independence Day, we recognize the patriots who fought to liberate Cuba from its colonial oppression and build a society founded on freedom. We continue to stand with the Cuban people as they seek those fundamental rights, and we express our commitment to supporting them as they continue to fight for freedom and democracy. …
Read More» U.S. Embassy Havana May 12, 2020 PRESS STATEMENT The Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service works closely with law enforcement agencies to protect and maintain the security and safety of foreign missions in the United States. Regarding the events at the Cuban Embassy in Washington DC of April 30, 2020, this is a joint investigation …
Read More» Special Briefing Office Of The Spokesperson March 23, 2020 MODERATOR ONE: Okay, at the end of the opening remarks, if you want to ask a question, please send me a text message at [redacted] and I will add you to the queue. With that, I’ll turn it over to [Moderator Two]. MODERATOR TWO: Hey, everybody. …
Read More» MARCH 11, 2020 Secretary Michael R. Pompeo will deliver on-camera remarks on the release of the 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in the Press Briefing Room at the U.S. Department of State. Assistant Secretary Robert Destro of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor will …
Read More» Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State Miami, Florida Four Points by Sheraton Miami Airport West Hotel QUESTION: Thank you for doing this, Mr. Secretary. SECRETARY POMPEO: Great to be with you. Thank you. QUESTION: One year after imposing sanctions on the Maduro regime and the Cuban Government, they haven’t changed course. So can you say …
Read More» FACT SHEET OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON JANUARY 21, 2020 “The relationship between the United States and Costa Rica is grounded in our mutual commitment to democracy, security, and prosperity. Costa Rica continues to be a regional model of democracy and respect for human rights, as well as a leader in the fight against transnational crime and …
Read More» U.S Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson January 21, 2020 The following is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus: Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met yesterday with Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo on the margins of the Counter Terrorism Ministerial in Bogota, Colombia. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Araujo highlighted our close partnership in the global …
Read More» Link to source: https://www.state.gov/the-oas-revival/ U.S Department of State Speech Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State Washington, D.C. Organization of American States January 17, 2020 The OAS Revival SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you. Good morning, everyone. I want to thank the Permanent Council Chair from Guyana for honoring the United States request to speak today. And I’d also like to recognize the OAS’s superb Secretary General, Luis …
Read More» Press Statement Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State January 16, 2020 Today, the United States Senate passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, also known as the USMCA, bringing us one step closer to fulfilling President Trump’s promise to modernize and update trade agreements. Mexico has ratified the USMCA, and we now look forward to the Canadian Parliament’s consideration of this agreement. The …
Read More» In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) to identify common rights and freedoms for all people in all nations. An American, former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, chaired the UN Human Rights Commission that drafted this landmark document. Chairwoman Roosevelt needed only to look at our own deep …
Read More» Press Release December 3, 2019 Washington – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified six vessels as blocked property of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13884, which blocks the property and interests in property of the Government of Venezuela. Additionally, OFAC identified the vessel Esperanza as …
Read More» PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 18, 2019 The U.S. government strongly condemns the Cuban regime’s unconscionable detainment of human rights defender José Daniel Ferrer, founder of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU). We call on the Castro regime to immediately disclose Mr. Ferrer’s location and condition, to treat him humanely, and …
Read More» Press statement Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State July 5, 2019 On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I congratulate interim President Juan Guaido, the National Assembly, and the people of Venezuela as you celebrate the anniversary of your independence. Once again, the Venezuelan people are besieged by dictatorship, undesired foreign …
Read More» U.S Department of the Treasury Press Releases June 4, 2019 Treasury and Commerce Implement Changes to Cuba Sanctions Rules WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) unveiled amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) to further implement the President’s foreign policy on Cuba. These amendments complement changes …
Read More» Western Hemisphere: Remarks on “A New Era in the Americas” at the 2019 Concordia Americas Summit 05/13/2019 03:30 PM EDT Remarks Kimberly Breier Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Bogota, Colombia May 13, 2019 I am pleased to be with you today and am impressed with how many business, political, and civil society leaders from …
Read More» 12 May 10, 2019 Washington – Today, Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin, in consultation with Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, and pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13850, as amended, determined that persons operating in the defense and security sector of the Venezuelan economy may be subject to sanctions. In addition, the Department of the …
Read More» U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Official For Immediate Release MEDIA NOTE April 12, 2019 The United States Takes Action to End Cuba’s Malign Influence on Venezuela Today, the United States sanctioned four companies for operating in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy and identified nine vessels as blocked property, pursuant to …
Read More» U.S. Embassy Havana Media Note U.S. Embassy Havana Havana, Cuba March 15, 2019 Decreasing B2 Visa Validity for Cuban Nationals Effective March 18, 2019, the United States will reduce the B2 visa validity for Cuban nationals to three months with a single entry. U.S. immigration law requires that U.S. visa fees and validity periods be …
Read More» U.S. Mission to the United Nations and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor To Launch Campaign on Cuba’s Political Prisoners at the United Nations Notice to the Press Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC October 12, 2018 Ambassador Kelley E. Currie, U.S. Representative on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, …
Read More» The Wrongful Detention of Tomas Nunez Magdariaga in Cuba Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC October 4, 2018 The United States is gravely concerned about the physical health of Cuban democratic activist Tomas Nunez Magdariaga, who has been on a hunger strike for more than 50 days in protest against his wrongful imprisonment. …
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U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Public Affairs Press Release: November 8, 2017 Contact: Treasury Public Affairs, (202) 622-2960 Treasury, Commerce, and State Implement Changes to the Cuba Sanctions Rules Amendments Implement President Trump’s June 2017 National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba WASHINGTON – Today, the …
Read More» Special Briefing Senior State Department Officials Via Teleconference September 29, 2017 MODERATOR: All right. Good morning, everyone. Thanks so much for joining us for this background call on Cuba. We are pleased today to have [Senior State Department Official One] join us. He will be known as Senior State Department Official One, and then …
Read More» Press Statement Rex W. Tillerson Secretary of State Washington, DC March 1, 2017 As the President laid out in his address to Congress, the State Department will continue to engage to advance U.S. interests in the world in cooperation with our partners and allies. We will also continue to support policies and institutions that keep …
Read More» Today in Washington, D.C., the United States signed a bilateral treaty with Cuba to delimit their maritime boundary in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Read More» Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC January 18, 2017 Today, the United States and Cuba signed a bilateral agreement to strengthen cooperation in the field of maritime and aeronautical search and rescue. The agreement aims to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in assisting persons in distress and to act in furtherance of obligations under …
Read More» Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC January 16, 2017 On January 16, the United States and Cuba signed a bilateral Law Enforcement Memorandum of Understanding to deepen law enforcement cooperation and information sharing. Under this memorandum, the United States and Cuba will continue the Law Enforcement Dialogue process, which includes technical exchanges on …
Read More» The White House Office of the Press Secretary January 16, 2017 On Monday, January 16, Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes will travel to Cuba for official meetings, cultural engagements, and to witness the signing of a U.S.-Cuba Law Enforcement Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The arrangement will establish a framework for strengthening our partnership on …
Read More» Press Office U.S. Department of Homeland Security Press Release January 12, 2017 Statement by Secretary Johnson on the Continued Normalization of our Migration Relationship with Cuba The United States is revoking the so-called “wet-foot/dry-foot” policy for Cuban migrants that has been in place since the mid-1990s. Effective immediately, Cuban nationals who attempt to illegally enter …
Read More» THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary January 12, 2017 Statement by the President on Cuban Immigration Policy Today, the United States is taking important steps forward to normalize relations with Cuba and to bring greater consistency to our immigration policy. The Department of Homeland Security is ending the so-called “wet-foot/dry foot” policy, which …
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Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC January 9, 2017 The United States and Cuba signed a bilateral agreement to prepare for and respond to oil spills and hazardous substance pollution in the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida on January 9, 2017. Under this agreement, the United States and Cuba will …
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Today, the United States Departments of State and Energy co-chaired the first U.S.-Cuba Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Working Group in Washington, D.C. Participants discussed regional developments related to clean energy, including renewable energy and energy efficiency, and exchanged ideas and information on how the United States and Cuba can move forward on this shared …
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The United States and Cuba held the fifth Bilateral Commission meeting in Havana, Cuba on Wednesday, December 7. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Mari Carmen Aponte
Read More» We extend our condolences to the Cuban people today as they mourn the passing of Fidel Castro. Over more than half a century, he
Read More» At this time of Fidel Castro’s passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans – in Cuba and in the United States – with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways
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Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC November 10, 2016 Misty Copeland, the first African American female Principal Dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre, will serve as a U.S. Department of State Sports and Cultural Envoy to Cuba, November 14-18, 2016. This people-to-people exchange program taps into the unique strength of sports, dance, …
Read More» Amendments Expand Venues for Scientific Collaboration, Facilitate Increased Humanitarian Support, and Bolster Trade and Commercial Opportunities WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) are announcing new amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) and Export Administration …
Read More» Today, I approved a Presidential Policy Directive that takes another major step forward in our efforts to normalize relations with Cuba. This Directive takes a comprehensive
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Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Tom Malinowski and Acting Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Mari Carmen Aponte will travel to Havana, Cuba, October 13-15,
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The U.S. Embassy in Havana will be lit up in pink throughout October, to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. President Obama declared October 2016 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a presidential proclamation issued the 30th September, 2016. The proclamation is available here . Photos of the embassy lit up in pink are available on our …
Read More» Dr. Jill Biden will travel to Havana and Camaguey, Cuba, from October 6 – 9, 2016. She will be joined by Catherine M. Russell, United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, and Evan Ryan, United States Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Together, they will meet with government officials
Read More» The United States and Cuba will hold the fourth Bilateral Commission in Washington, D.C., on Friday, September 30. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Mari Carmen
Read More» The United States and Cuba will hold the first Legal Cooperation Technical Exchange in Havana, Cuba, on September 15. The U.S. delegation will include working-level representatives from the Department of Justice, the Department of State, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland
Read More» The United States and Cuba held the inaugural Economic Dialogue in Washington, D.C., today. Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs Charles Rivkin led the opening of the dialogue. U.S. Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs John
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The United States and Cuba will hold the second Human Smuggling and Migratory Fraud Prevention Technical Exchange in Havana, Cuba, on September 7. The U.S. delegation will include working-level representatives from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the
Read More» The United States and Cuba held a government-to-government claims discussion in Washington, D.C., on July 28, 2016. The U.S. delegation was led by Brian Egan, the Legal Adviser for the U.S. Department of State. The meeting allowed the countries to exchange further details
Read More» The United States and Cuba held their third Counternarcotics Technical Exchange July 21 in Havana. The U.S. delegation included working-level representatives from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Coast Guard (USGC), Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations
Read More» U.S. and Cuban delegations reiterated the importance of the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords, which provide for the safe, orderly, and legal migration of Cubans to the United States. The discussions included maritime and overland migration trends, cooperation between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Cuban physicians as well as cooperation between the U.S. Coast …
Read More» Delegations from the United States, Cuba, and Mexico met, July 5-7, in Mexico City to discuss unresolved maritime boundaries in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, commonly referred to as the “Eastern Gap.” Government representatives discussed delimiting maritime boundaries
Read More» Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (PDF 123kb) with Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health, an important milestone between the two countries since the re-establishment of diplomatic relations in
Read More» The United States and Cuba held the third Bilateral Commission in Havana today. This meeting allowed the U.S. and Cuban governments to discuss bilateral issues at the forefront of the normalization process. Ambassador Kristie Kenney, the Counselor of the U.S. Department of State, led the delegation
Read More» As part of President Obama’s historic trip to Cuba to further normalization of relations, advance commercial and people-to-people ties, and express our support for human rights for all Cubans, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced several measures that will foster further collaboration between the U.S. and Cuban agriculture sectors. The two neighboring countries
Read More» Working-level representatives from the United States and Cuba held a technical meeting in Havana February 22-23 to exchange information and best practices related to preventing cybercrime and online fraud, including in the areas of pharmaceutical fraud and illicit
Read More» The United States and Cuba held a technical meeting to discuss human smuggling and fraud prevention in Miami February 1-4. Working level representatives from both governments met for the purpose of exchanging information and best practices related to combatting
Read More» A year has passed since President Obama proposed normalizing relations with Cuba, re-opening our embassies, and creating more opportunities for our two peoples to engage with one another. This was a dramatic change in policy, but it represented no change in our aspiration for Cuban citizens
Read More» For five and a half decades since, our policy toward Cuba has remained virtually frozen, and done little to promote a prosperous, democratic and stable Cuba. Not only has this policy failed to advance America’s goals, it has actually isolated the United States instead of isolating Cuba. Since 2009, President Obama has taken steps
Read More» On December 16, the United States and Cuba reached a bilateral arrangement to establish scheduled air services between the two countries. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation Affairs Thomas Engle led the U.S. interagency delegation, and Ambassador Yuri Gala Lopez
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The United States and Cuba reached an understanding December 10 during discussions in Miami to re-establish direct postal services between the two countries through the implementation of a pilot plan for the transportation of mail. The plan will provide
Read More» Officials from the U.S. and Cuban Governments held their second Counter-Narcotics Dialogue on December 1 at the headquarters of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Washington, D.C. Representatives from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Drug Enforcement
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Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Cuba’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment (CITMA). The MOU will facilitate joint efforts
Read More» This morning, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visited an urban fruit and vegetable market in Havana, Cuba. There he talked to vendors about the many types of produce that are available to Cubans in urban areas.
Read More» U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack arrived in Havana yesterday, November 11, becoming the third U.S. cabinet official to visit Cuba since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations on July 20. He is accompanied by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley
Read More» Today, the United States and Cuba held an inaugural Law Enforcement Dialogue in Washington, DC. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Alex Lee and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Bruce Swartz led the delegation for the United States, and Mr. Abel Gonzalez Santamaria
Read More» U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker arrived in Havana today, October 6, becoming the second U.S. cabinet official to visit Cuba since the re-establishment of diplomatic relations on July 20, 2015. Tomorrow, Secretary Pritzker will co-chair a Regulatory Dialogue with Cuban
Read More» United States and Cuban diplomatic delegations met today at the State Department to discuss the methodology, topics, and structure of a future human rights dialogue. The atmosphere of the meeting was professional, and there was broad agreement on the way forward
Read More» A U.S. delegation led by Ambassador Daniel A. Sepulveda, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy visited Havana, March 24-26. The delegation met with the Vice Minister of Communications
Read More» On March 16, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson met with Josefina Vidal, Director General of the U.S. Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Havana, Cuba. The discussion yesterday was positive
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