The term refers to a set of policy changes implemented by the Trump administration affecting relations with the island nation. These actions largely reversed the Obama administration’s efforts to normalize ties and aimed to increase economic pressure on the Cuban government. These shifts encompassed restrictions on travel, remittances, and commercial activities.
The significance of these policies lies in their immediate and potentially long-lasting impact on both Cuban citizens and U.S. businesses with interests in Cuba. Supporters argued the measures were crucial to promote human rights and democracy, believing restricted funds would weaken the Cuban government. Conversely, opponents contended that these actions disproportionately harmed the Cuban people, limiting their access to economic opportunities and family connections. The historical context is rooted in decades of U.S.-Cuba tensions, with these policy changes representing a return to a more confrontational stance.