US Tightens Cuba Trade Sanctions -US tightens Cuba trade sanctions -
US Attorney Alexander Acosta -
Attorney Acosta said the move would make prosecutions easier -
The US government has announced that it will aggressively pursue
those who violate the decades-old US trade embargo with Cuba.
A new task force has been set up to police the sanctions
and those breaking them will face large fines.
The chief federal prosecutor in Florida said anyone who travelled
illegally or traded with Cuba would be punished.
But critics say the move is an attempt to strengthen the Republican
Party's vote ahead of congressional elections.
Miami-based US Attorney Alexander Acosta said the measures
would allow the US to better enforce its sanctions against Cuba.
"The purpose of the sanctions is to isolate the Castro regime
economically and deprive the Castro regime of the US dollars
it so desperately seeks," said Mr Acosta.
Tough talk
Miami is the unofficial capital of the Cuban exile community,
a key segment of the Republican vote.
The BBC's Emilio San Pedro says such tough talk will be welcomed
by the most conservative segments in the community who see
the failing health of Cuban President Fidel Castro -
as an opportunity to bring about political change on the island.
Mr Acosta said anyone convicted of breaking the trade embargo would
face the possibility of a 10-year prison sentence and a hefty fine.
The task force will include the FBI and law enforcement units from
the Treasury, Homeland Security and Commerce departments.
It represents the latest move to tighten the restrictions
on US-Cuba relations.
Limitations were first imposed in the early 1960s and have
been expanded since.
https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6039658.stm
FYI.
Beware:
if u have a Cuban stamp in your passport -
I would not travel to the US!