An American classic car drives past a political poster reading"Long live Free Cuba" in Havana, Cuba. Picture: AFP
US President Donald Trump’s decision, which will take effect on May 2, is strongly opposed by the EU, whose companies have large business interests on the island. Trump’s national security adviser, John Bolton, was on Wednesday set to discuss the administration’s decision in a speech in Miami and announce new sanctions on Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, countries he has branded a “troika of tyranny”, a senior US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.It was unclear, however, whether such property claims will be acceptable in US courts. The EU has already warned it could lodge a challenge with the World Trade Organisation.
The move, which could deal a blow to the Cuban government’s efforts to attract foreign investment, marks a further step by Trump to roll back parts of the historic opening to Cuba, an old Cold War foe, under his predecessor, Barack Obama.