New sanctions on Cuba hinders trade and vacation with Tampa Bay

In its remaining days, the Trump Administration adds Cuba to its listing of terrorism developing a problem for the Biden Administration to restore relations

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — As President Donald Trump’s term ends, he leaves at the very least just one roadblock for the incoming administration. President Trump added Cuba back to the state sponsors of terrorism record, rescinding the Obama Administration’s 2015 raise of that designation.

It is anticipated to complicate the Biden administrations’ pledge to restore relations among the United States and the island state.  

This is developing a even more political divide between Cuban-Americans, in particular in Florida and Tampa Bay which is the closest port to Havana. 

“The final time I went to Cuba I observed the hopes and dreams in the eyes of the individuals because they felt President Obama was eventually giving them a ray of hope they hardly ever experienced,” Victor DiMaio told 8 On Your Side.  

DiMaio is president of the Hillsborough County Democratic Hispanic Caucus with deep roots in Tampa. His grandparents settled in Ybor City from Cuba over a century back.

He was on the initial flight from Tampa to Havana and even caught a Rays recreation in Cuba when President Barack Obama started off restoring U.S. – Cuba relations.  

“Tampa benefitted considerably, we had numerous flights a working day from various airlines going straight,” mentioned DiMaio. “Cruise ships, right right here in the port just a number of blocks from below, had been traveling. Hundreds of American excursions, Tampa Tours, traveling to Cuba.” 

The Trump administration slowed trade, vacation, and the developing connection Tampa was fostering with the island. In what were being President Trump’s closing days, Cuba was place again on the state sponsors of terrorism checklist citing aid to Venezuela’s authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro and the country’s function in harboring American fugitives.

“The only way you are heading to remedy the challenge with Cuba is by means of engagement,” expressed DiMaio.

Republican Cuban-People disagree.  

Days right after getting into Congress, Republican Agent Maria Elvira Salazar of Miami-Dade submitted the FORCE ACT – Battling Oppression Until finally the Reign of Castro Finishes – to back President Trump’s sanction.

“As the daughter of Cuban refugees who fled the brutal dictatorship that proceeds to jail, starve, murder and systematically oppress the people today of Cuba, I am really proud to introduce the Drive Act,” she said in a statement to 8 On Your Side. 

The congresswoman included that “this crucial piece of legislation that will not allow for any administration, regardless of whether Republican or Democrat, to remove the brutal Castro dictatorship from the Point out Sponsors of Terrorism Checklist until they comply with the LIBERTAD Act: Release all political prisoners, assure independence speech and the appropriate to assemble, legalize all political functions, and commit to keeping absolutely free & honest elections.”

Cuba joins North Korea, Iraq, and Syria on the terrorism listing.