[News] US Marks Anniversary of Its Defeat at Bay of Pigs by Imposing New Sanctions Against Cuba

[Anti-Imperialist News]

https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/US-Marks-Anniversary-of-Its-Defeat-at-Bay-of-Pigs-by-Imposing-New-Sanctions-Against-Cuba-20190417-0018.html 



  US Marks Anniversary of Its Defeat at Bay of Pigs by Imposing New
  Sanctions Against Cuba

April 17, 2019
------------------------------------------------------------------------

President Donald Trump administration ordered Wednesday the lifting of 
the suspension of Helm-Burton law’s Titles III and IV 
<https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/US-Helms-Burton-Act-is-a-Violation-of-International-Law-Cuba-20190117-0015.html>, 
which would allow filing lawsuits against foreign companies operating in 
Cuba.

The U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton 
<https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Who-Is-John-Bolton-Trumps-Man-Behind-Plot-Against-Venezuela-20181213-0019.html> 
will refer to the application of those norms during a meeting with 
former mercenaries who participated in the Bay of Pigs invasion on April 
17, 1961.

Through Title III, U.S. citizens could sue in their country’s courts 
those who "traffic" with institutions in Cuba that were nationalized 
after January 1, 1959, when the Cuban revolutionaries led by Fidel 
Castro defeated the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista.

Since President Bill Clinton’s administration (1993-2001), U.S. has 
avoided the implementation of Title III by issuing “temporary” six-month 
suspensions. This has been the usual practice because the full 
implementation of the Helm-Burton law would imply massive damages not 
only for Cuba but also for the companies from the U.S, the European 
Union (EU) and Canada.

The Trump administration, however, announced that, as of March 19, it 
would allow the filling of lawsuits against more than 200 Cuban 
companies included in a unilateral list of sanctions.

Lawyer Robert Muse told Prensa Latina that everything indicates that 
President Trump does seek to implement Title III against foreign 
companies operating in Cuba. He added that the U.S. government could 
also apply Title IV, which allows the U.S. to deny visas to foreign 
businessmen investing in nationalized properties in Cuba.

Muse also considers that Bolton could push for a tougher restriction on 
travel by U.S. citizens to the island through the imposition of spending 
limits; or the inclusion of Cuba in the Department of State’s list of 
countries sponsoring terrorism.

Reacting to President Trump’s threats, the European Commission (EC) said 
Wednesday that it is "prepared" to protect the interests of EU companies 
in Cuba.

"The EU is prepared to protect European interests, including European 
investments and economic activities of individuals and entities in their 
relations with Cuba, if they were to be affected," Alexander 
Winterstein, the EU Commission spokesman, said and pointed out that the 
EU strongly opposes the "extraterritorial application of unilateral 
restrictive measures which are contrary to international law."

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini 
<https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Iran-New-European-Initiatives-for-Non-Dollar-Trade-to-Come--20181122-0002.html> 
also warned that the bloc could sue the U.S. before the World Trade 
Organization (WTO) if Washington implemented those measures.

In fact, the EU already sued the U.S. before the WTO two decades ago, 
when the Helms-Burton law was passed but withdrew its complaint once the 
White House agreed to suspend Title III.

The U.S. measures against Cuba will come into force as of May 2, when 
the last suspension of Title III expires.

"Any person or company doing business in Cuba should heed this 
announcement," the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

-- 
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