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Trump says he is 'canceling' Obama's Cuba policy, restricts travel and trade

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By Steve Holland

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Critics of the rapprochement said...

...things that only seem to apply to Cuba and no other country.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

But Trump left in place many of Obama’s changes, including the reopened U.S. embassy in Havana, even as he sought to show he was making good on a campaign promise to take a tougher line against Cuba, especially over its human rights record.

This coming from a country that has  over 2.2 MILLION adults incarcerated and somewhere in the neighbor of what, about 5 MILLION on probation and or parole and how many thousands on death row.

Human rights?

Let's not begin to talk about the immigration policies this president has and the term pot-kettle-black comes to mind right quick.

The USA likes to point fingers at everyone but itself.

16 ( +18 / -2 )

His critics, however, have questioned why his administration is now singling out Cuba for its human rights record but downplaying the issue in other parts of the world, including Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally Trump visited last month that grants few political freedoms to its citizens.

Saudi Arabia is but one example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_authoritarian_regimes_supported_by_the_United_States

Critics of the rapprochement said Obama was giving too much away without extracting concessions from the Cuban government.

No doubt Trump would prefer the Cuba that existed before the revolution. Ah, the good old days when US companies could bleed a nation dry:

"Eventually it reached the point where most of the sugar industry was in U.S. hands, and foreigners owned 70% of the arable land. As such, Batista's increasingly corrupt and repressive government then began to systematically profit from the exploitation of Cuba's commercial interests, by negotiating lucrative relationships with both the American Mafia, who controlled the drug, gambling, and prostitution businesses in Havana, and with large U.S.-based multinational companies who were awarded lucrative contracts."

6 ( +7 / -1 )

He really is envious of President Obama, isn't he? It's pathetic.

I often wonder if so much of what Trump is doing is not because he has any actual beliefs or policy about what he does but is really revenge on President Obama.  

We know Trump hates to be laughed at and he had to sit at that WH Correspondents Dinner and take it. And we know he requires revenge to get his psyche back into what is balance for him.  

I think Trump's need for revenge fuels him to dismantle President Obama's legacy.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

He really is envious of President Obama, isn't he? It's pathetic.

Ohhh, I seriously doubt that.

I often wonder if so much of what Trump is doing is not because he has any actual beliefs or policy about what he does but is really revenge on President Obama.  

No, because Obama didn't care, he cared more about what looks good for the Democratic party. Trump is looking to restore our broken laws and keep the promises to the people.

We know Trump hates to be laughed at and he had to sit at that WH Correspondents Dinner and take it. 

I don't think anyone likes to be made fun of, so as a human, I can't fault him for being mad, he has every right, if he feels that he's being mocked or being made fun of. But the former president was also famous for being thin-skinned a bit.

And we know he requires revenge to get his psyche back into what is balance for him.  

Show me a president that didn't believe in revenge. So what was releasing Chelsea Manning all about?

I think Trump's need for revenge fuels him to dismantle President Obama's legacy.

I don't think it's revenge, but dismantling it, gosh, I do hope so.

-15 ( +4 / -19 )

Trump is looking to restore our broken laws and keep the promises to the people.

Fidel was more of a man of the people than Trump will ever be.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Fidel was more of a man of the people than Trump will ever be.

Yeah? Why don't you ask the millions of Cuban Floridians that fled the Island and came here, Ask them what they think about Castro and that lived under Castro? Ask the regular people and ask people like Andy Garcia and Gloria Estafan what they think about Castro, the answers may shock you.

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

Trump says he is 'cancelling' Obama's Cuba Policy . . . until he can cut a better deal for himself and the Trump Organization.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Such as?

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

Trump has 500 businesses in over 20 countries, so, yeah, he will find something to make money on.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Good for him, I hope so.

-13 ( +0 / -13 )

Once again Trump shows his insecurity about Obama!

It must really drive him crazy that Obama was such a good president while he's sucking so much. And not only that, it must drive him crazy that the people loved Obama and hate him.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Once again Trump shows his insecurity about Obama!

Insecurity? More like stupidity for making a one-sided deal on Obama's part.

It must really drive him crazy that Obama was such a good president while he's sucking so much. And not only that, it must drive him crazy that the people loved Obama and hate him.

Another blow to the dumb executive policy of the failed Obama legacy and I think ONLY the people that loved Obama thinks he was a good president, the rest of us are happy that those nightmarish 8 years are behind us. Anyway, it's past and good on Trump. I want better relations with Cuba, but until they can promise the people fair elections, stop imprisoning political opponents, keep paying their people in pesos and economic growth, then we shouldn't reward them with anything.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

I think ONLY the people that loved Obama thinks he was a good president

Yep, you're right. The thing is, most of the world loved Obama.

Remember that time the Republicans (and specifically, you) were going on about how Obama made America the laughing stock of the world? Well America actually IS the laughing stock of the world right now. The world's opinion of America has dropped 25% in the past year.

(Not) Coincidentally, the people who tried to pretend Obama had made America the laughing stock of the world, have now shifted their opinion to 'who cares what the world things', while at the same time claiming they are not partisan.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

More like stupidity for making a one-sided deal on Obama's part.

Says "Cuba is evil" out of one side of his mouth, while making deals with terrorist Saudi Arabia out the other.

He's an utter and complete failure as a president. And the so-called 'non-partisans' are willing to sell out their country for their party.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Yep, you're right. The thing is, most of the world loved Obama.

Good for the world, I could care less what they thought, I never wanted a rock star president for the world. They can have him, good luck.

Remember that time the Republicans (and specifically, you) were going on about how Obama made America the laughing stock of the world? Well America actually IS the laughing stock of the world right now. The world's opinion of America has dropped 25% in the past year.

So what?

(Not) Coincidentally, the people who tried to pretend Obama had made America the laughing stock of the world, have now shifted their opinion to 'who cares what the world things', while at the same time claiming they are not partisan.

Ok, and? What's your point, Strange? People around the world, liberals and progressives can think whatever they want and how they want, I could care less. I'm just happy the last 8 years are behind us.

Says "Cuba is evil" out of one side of his mouth, while making deals with terrorist Saudi Arabia out the other.

Sadly, but a huge monumental difference. The Saudis have something the Cubans don't have, the Saudis are dealing with and at times support a common enemy. I don't like the Saudis, don't trust them, but they are an important ally and they have a lot of oil we all need. Take the emotion out of it and deal with it, no one Democrat or Republican wants to deal with them like this, but for now, we have to.

He's an utter and complete failure as a president. And the so-called 'non-partisans' are willing to sell out their country for their party.

Uh-huh, yeah, sure, Strange. LOL

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Once again Trump shows his insecurity about Obama!

This is obvious. The right (see Limbaugh, Hannity, Alex Jones, Rupert Murdoch etal) spread such hatred about former president Obama (and Michelle - calling both apes, gorillas and worse) for so long the memes sank deep into the minds of many of America's angriest citizens. Now in Pavlovian fashion all Trump, his fellow Republicans and their minions have to do is say 'Obama' and the Trump cultists start shrieking. It's interesting to read how many times the Russians on this board also invoke the spectre of Obama. But then Russia, like the US, is also known for its serious racial problems.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

This is obvious. The right (see Limbaugh, Hannity, Alex Jones, Rupert Murdoch etal) spread such hatred about former president Obama (and Michelle - calling both apes, gorillas and worse) for so long the memes sank deep into the minds of many of America's angriest citizens. 

All these people that you named, can you provide direct quotes that they said these things or are you just getting emotional again?

Now in Pavlovian fashion all Trump, his fellow Republicans and their minions have to do is say 'Obama' and the Trump cultists start shrieking. 

Well, for the last 5 months, not only does the left shriek and whine but now they have ratcheted it up and have started targeting GOP law makers.

It's interesting to read how many times the Russians on this board also invoke the spectre of Obama. But then Russia, like the US, is also known for its serious racial problems.

Who's Russian on this board? And I hope you know, other countries have racism as bad, if not worse than the US.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Good for the world, I could care less what they thought

Ahh, so when you were whining about Obama making America the laughing stock of the world, it was 100% partisanship, and only to try to find something to complain about the president, not because you actually cared about what the world thought of Obama.

Well at least you are clear on that point now. But it gives you absolutely zero credibility when complaining about how the left is criticizing Trump. When you are the kind of person to criticize the president about something you actually don't care about, and simply want to criticize the president, you are left with no valid basis behind which to have a problem with the other side criticizing the president no matter what their reasoning behind such criticism.

Live by the sword, die by the sword.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Only one reason for this decision. Trump wants the Florida vote in 2020. He couldn't give two doodoos about human rights.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

and seeks to prevent U.S. dollars from being used to fund what the Trump administration sees as a repressive military-dominated government.

Which government is Trump talking about?  His, which has the highest number of military men in any US administration ever - or Cuba's?

 As other posters above have said as indeed I have, he just wants to destroy anything that has Obama's handprint on it.  If Obama had cured cancer Trump would repeal it.  A sick, pathetically insecure man/boy.  SAD!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Bravo, President Trump. Nothing wrong with trying to improve another country's culture/society/government by using economics as an incentive. A whole lot better than starting a war. Then again, perhaps that's what the radical alt-left liberals are hoping for. . . . .

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

@bass Who's Russian on this board?

Good question. I have no problems with Russian citizens or citizens of any country anywhere posting on this board. JT's been good about being inclusive. What does bother me is that Russia has long been accused of having a paid army of keyboard warriors spreading fake news, alt facts and outright lies in attempts to undermine 'western' institutions, including free press. Honest question: why would any non-Russian say good things about Putin's oligarchy, which suppresses and controls media, which suppresses political opposition, which attacks and has 'disappeared' opposition? Come to think of it, you've been one of Putin's biggest cheerleaders.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

["making good on a campaign promise to take a tougher line against Cuba, especially over its human rights record."]

[His critics, however, have questioned why his administration is now singling out Cuba for its human rights record but downplaying the issue in other parts of the world, including Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally Trump visited last month that grants few political freedoms to its citizens.]

[Still, it will be the latest attempt by Trump to overturn parts of Obama's presidential legacy. He has already pulled the United States out of a major international climate treaty and is trying to scrap his predecessor's landmark healthcare program.]

Any good that Democrats have done, Trump will do what he can to reverse it. If what Trump actually did was better I would not really have a problem with it. But everything he touches bleeds and dies.

Democrats are for helping America as a whole and the world, while Republicans are only worried about themselves. The differences are very clear.

The problem is however, that the majority of those misguided individuals who vote Republican fail to realize that they themselves do not benefit from their own party either. Only the very top crust benefit.

Usually the majority of Republicans support their chosen president, but clearly we are seeing this is not the case this time around. It just goes to show not all Republicans are completely delusional and greedy. 

Remember, even if you vote Republican because you do not want to be shamed by your family and neigbors, don't vote Trump!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

bass4funk: "Show me a president that didn't believe in revenge."

I can show you another that DID -- GWB in starting the wars that you guys somehow think Obama hopped in a time-machine and started. A good leader does NOT make policy based on revenge, which you admit Trump is doing here.

There is zero gain to this EXCEPT self-satisfaction in said revenge, and both the US and Cuba will go back to suffering as a result. Trump has proven that only is he NOT a leader in any sense of the word, but he is the exact opposite, and on top of revenge bases his decisions on pure and simple insecurity and personal feelings of inadequacy in relation to Obama. Mention the inaugaration attendance for both alone and he'll go ballistic on Twitter (again). Two year olds have better sense than Trump.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

And then what?

What are they gonna do that's different than the last half century?

Bravo, President Trump. Nothing wrong with trying to improve another country's culture/society/government by using economics as an incentive.

Wonder if he's gonna keep the Russian economic sanctions

3 ( +4 / -1 )

A whole lot better than starting a war. 

Which war, specifically?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

"terrible and misguided deal" with Havana

Trump actually said that. Not that it surprises me, coming from someone who is the impersonation of the concept of misguided itself.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

We do not know the motives behind Trump's announced Cuba policy, but we do know there's no Trump Tower in Havana (yet), and there's a substantial number of votes among the fascistic Cubans residing in Florida that Trump bigly needs for his delusional dream of a second term. Perhaps the Cuban riposte should be to dangle the deal of a Trump Tower Grande de la Habana in front of the fledgling real-estate mogul and consigliere Kushner in return for a sweet-heart deal from his Godfather in La Casa Blanca. On the other hand, the consequences of this policy volte-face may soon land on Pence's plate. Quien sabe?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Trump is such an idiot.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I love the certain Trump Trolls ask for direct quotes to support assertions from the left but then promptly deflect or obfuscate when they are asked for supporting evidence.

How bad was Obama for the US? Hmmm . . . Let's see:

http://www.philly.com/philly/infographics/410339245.html?mobi=true

Answer: Not bad at all.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Cuba will always be a sticking point in our democracy since it's an issue used to placate a tiny portion of our population in order to win elections. Most people would love to see open relations.

So the politicians say we can't engage with them as long as they aren't democratic then everyone points out that that's a made up position since we do business with plenty of non-democratic countries. We know their position is a lie and they know it, but it continues anyway because politicians want the vote in Florida.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If Trump stops to mention Obama in his speech, people will forget about Obama.  Now Trump mention Cuba..  So MLB viewers. applaud Cuba born players homerun more than home team players.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@BurningBush, that's an interesting comment, at least to this well-traveled Canadian. But, and I must stress this, not all Americans are arrogant, although my daughter, who works in the hospitality industry in Victoria, BC, came to dinner last night and told me stories of several such people from south of the 49th. However, two years ago, I witnessed the actions of the most arrogant tourist I've ever seen; a German, in Tokyo's Ginza. And I suppose there are even arrogant Canadians, but frankly I can't imagine that. We're too polite and apologetic for our own good - at least that's what I've been told, in the US, Japan, and several countries in Europe. I'll try it out in Cuba, next January; I dropped the idea of going there, when Obama opened up travel for Americans to that country, specifically for the reason you mentioned, but I've now reversed that decision and will be visiting that country a few months after I get home from my 3-month annual trip to Japan, this fall.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

How bad was Obama for the US? Hmmm . . . Let's see:

You should have picked the article right out of Mother Jones, it's beyond far left. Anyway, who cares about Obama, it's over, it's past and the guy thankfully is gone.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

What worries me about Trump is the increased isolation the US faces in the world. It's not good. We need our network of allies to help advance our agenda.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Any deals with Cuba must involve their commitment to have democratic elections, restoring religious and civil rights, freedom for political prisoners, getting out of Venezuela. Same actions are desperately needed in Venezuela which Cuba has infiltrated. Trump is correct this time.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"Any deals with Cuba must involve their commitment to have democratic elections, restoring religious and civil rights, freedom for political prisoners, getting out of Venezuela. Same actions are desperately needed in Venezuela which Cuba has infiltrated. Trump is correct this time."

Except that Saudi is much worse and supports world terrorism with Daesh. Yet we do billions with them in deals. The same people who attacked and killed innocent US civilians on 9/11. 15 of the 19 highjackers were Saudi. 0 were Iranian and 0 were Cuban. Iran nor Cuba are funding or supporting Daesh as far as I am aware of and Daesh continues to attack not only their own while raping children and torturing and murdering men and women, starving them to death and using them as human shields, but also still attacking western nations and inspiring others to do so.

"What worries me about Trump is the increased isolation the US faces in the world. It's not good. We need our network of allies to help advance our agenda."

If it is not something Trump and his ilk can control completely, they do not want anything to do with them. The US is quickly and vastly losing ground around the world, including our allies.

Soon it will be a much more lonely place with just the three of us- United States, Saudi Arabia and Israel- the Axis of Evil...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Given the way the US is clearly heading, I'd have thought the Cubans would be fine with this. When a nation can only depend on Israel, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and May's Britain for support, it's better kept at arm's length....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Ahh, so when you were whining about Obama making America the laughing stock of the world, it was 100% partisanship,

For him being weak, absolutely!

Well, at least you are clear on that point now. But it gives you absolutely zero credibility when complaining about how the left is criticizing Trump. 

I could care less if the left were criticizing Trump, that's their right and it's healthy, but that's not what's happening today. Even Oliver Stone is astounded at how radical and disconnected the left has become and hearing that from Stone himself almost made me fall off my chair.

When you are the kind of person to criticize the president about something you actually don't care about, and simply want to criticize the president, 

Sorry, but I don't do that unless there is a valid reason and would go for anyone including Trump, but nice try.

you are left with no valid basis behind which to have a problem with the other side criticizing the president 

*no matter what their reasoning behind such criticism**.*

Uh, so you think so? smh.

I can show you another that DID -- GWB in starting the wars that you guys somehow think Obama hopped in a time-machine and started.

No, but Afghanistan was his war though.

A good leader does NOT make policy based on revenge, which you admit Trump is doing here. 

I never said that

There is zero gain to this EXCEPT self-satisfaction in said revenge, and both the US and Cuba will go back to suffering as a result. Trump has proven that only is he NOT a leader in any sense of the word, but he is the exact opposite, and on top of revenge bases his decisions on pure and simple insecurity and personal feelings of inadequacy in relation to Obama. 

No, you're just angry because you might not be able to get some good Mojitos now. Get over it!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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