Biden and Administration to Review Remittances to Cuba, May Sanction Cuban Officials

A White House official said the United States is determining ways to help Cubans while holding their government accountable.

What We Know:

• President Joe Biden has asked his administration to create the “Remittance Working Group” to identify the best ways to provide remittances to islanders without the interference of the communist government. The president’s declaration opposes a previous statement in which he said he would not reinstate the practice. However, over the past week, he’s faced pressure from citizens and politicians alike to take more action on the Cuban crisis.
• Biden senior adviser Cedric Richmond and a senior National Security Council official Juan Gonzalez also met with Cuban-American leaders, such as Emilio and Gloria Estefan, on Monday to hear policy recommendations and concerns. The group came up with several ideas which Pres. Biden will consider.
• Alongside this, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control will explore sanctioning Cuban officials who violated their citizens’ human rights during last week’s peaceful protests. The administration will also contemplate working with international organizations to boost humanitarian assistance in Cuba.
• Additionally, the State Department will review plans to bolster the US Embassy in Havana to “facilitate diplomatic, consular and civil society engagement, and an appropriate security posture.” In 2017, the United States removed staff from the Embassy due to “unexplained brain injuries” experienced by American diplomats, spies, and other government employees.
• The White House official emphasized that President Biden will maintain his word and is considering initiatives to make Cuba’s internet access more accessible.
• Although President Biden made it clear in his campaign he would reverse former President Donald Trump‘s Cuba policies, he has not made it a priority; currently, these guidelines are under review, and no updates have been made. This upsets many right-wing politicians and Cuban-Americans, who believe he does not support the island’s exiles.
• After Cuba’s July 11th protests, Biden released a statement in which he said the United States supported the protests. However, he did not mention any intentions of intervening.

As a result, Cuban-American leaders and citizens held protests and press conferences urging him to take action in ending the communist regime. They will continue holding him accountable until they see actual change on the island.