U.S. Department of Commerce Further Tightens Cuba Sanctions
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce has announced that it will further restrict the Cuban regime’s access to commercial aircraft and other goods. According to Commerce. “This action supports the Administration’s earlier decision to hold the Cuban regime accountable for repressing its own people as well as continuing to provide support to the illegitimate Maduro regime which has terrorized the Venezuelan population and wantonly destroyed the once-prosperous economy relied on by millions. This action by the Commerce Department sends another clear message to the Cuban regime – that they must immediately cease their destructive behavior at home and abroad. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross noted that “The Trump Administration will continue to act against the Cuban regime for its misdeeds, while continuing to support the Cuban people and their aspirations for freedom and prosperity.”
Commerce reports that “In order to generate revenue for its illicit activities, the Cuban regime is resorting to transporting tourists on leased aircraft subject to BIS jurisdiction. Consequently, BIS is revoking existing licenses for aircraft leases to Cuban state-owned airlines, and will deny future applications for aircraft leases. Additionally, BIS is expanding Cuba sanctions to include more foreign goods containing U.S. content, and is imposing additional restrictions on exports to the Cuban regime.”
Turkey Ceasefire
On October 18, Vice President Pence announced an agreement between the United States and Turkey to establish a ceasefire in Northeast Syria. As a result, Turkey has agreed to pause its offensive operations in Syria for 120 hours to allow for the withdrawal of the Peoples Protection Units from the roughly 20-mile safe zone along its border. Upon completion of the YPG withdrawal, Turkey has committed to enacting a permanent ceasefire.
Defense Secretary Esper spoke with the Turkish Minister of Defense. He reiterated the United States’ position that Turkey must adhere to the full terms of this agreement, and that Turkey is expected to ensure the safety and well-being of all people in the area controlled by Turkish Forces. Protecting religious and ethnic minorities in the region continues to be a focus for the Administration. This ceasefire is a much needed step in protecting those vulnerable populations. Esper reminded Turkey about its responsibility for maintaining security of the ISIS detainees located in the affected areas.
Esper noted that “The United States is continuing our deliberate withdrawal from Northeastern Syria as previously announced. The force protection of our service members remains our top priority, and as always, U.S. forces will defend themselves from any threat as we complete our withdrawal from the area. No U.S. ground forces will participate in the enforcement of this safe zone, however, we will remain in communication with both Turkey and the SDF.”
Secretary of State Pompeo’s Comments on Meeting with Columbia’s Foreign Minister
The United States has a significant stake in the outcome of Colombia’s crackdown on the production of and trafficking of narcotics. That’s why we join President Duque in setting an ambitious goal to reduce coca cultivation and cocaine by half by the end of 2023.
We’ve seen signs of progress. We just had the chance to chat about that. Last year, coca cultivation decreased for the first time since 2012. More than 86,000 hectares of coca were eradicated Innovation is the best thing, which is provided along with the pill, one also has to take the medicine without for to leave its long-lasting results on the health. slovak-republic.org levitra 60 mg Cases of problems generic levitra with vision have also been reported. Three natural, non-drug ways can decrease whole body acidity and online viagra cialis presumes that your pancreatic juice and bile are also acidic. One most effective medication in particular for promoting sexual energy and stamina is kamagra 100 mg pills give your sexual power an extra boost in the bedroom. viagra soft tablets see to find out more – 20 percent more than we had set as our joint goal.
Much more work needs to be done… we’ll discuss how to expand our counternarcotics efforts to achieve and sustain the ambitious five-year goal that we set.
We’ll also address Colombia’s valiant humanitarian efforts to support the now 1.6 million people who have fled Venezuela and come to Colombia.
To date, the United States has provided more than $250 million to aid Colombia in its response to the Venezuelan crisis, and our support is ongoing and continuing.
Just this past month, at the U.N. General Assembly, I announced nearly $119 million in new funding to support relief efforts throughout the region.
And since 2018, we have twice deployed the U.S. Navy Ship Comfort on medical missions to the region, stopping each time in Colombia.
As I’ve shared with the foreign minister today, we stand ready to do even more to support Colombia’s heroic efforts to save lives and stabilize the region.
And then finally, we’ll talk about an important topic: how we strengthen our economic ties between the two countries. There’s real good progress already underway.
Colombia’s per capita GDP has doubled since 2000, and poverty has declined from one in five to one in 25.
That’s been a lot of hard work by Colombia and its people, but the United States has helped as well. We’re Colombia’s largest trade and investment partner, and our trade supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in each of our two countries…
When I last visited Latin America in April, I explained the Trump administration’s ultimate goal in the region, which is to cement a future of democracy, peace, and prosperity.
As I said then, it’s not an impossible dream. Nor it is a foregone conclusion. We will all have to work on this together.
Colombia is proof – is proof that the dream is indeed possible and that hard work pays off. And today, that work continues.
DARIA NOVAK served in the United States State Department during the Reagan Administration, and currently is on the Board of the American Analysis of News and Media Inc., which publishes usagovpolicy.com and the New York Analysis of Policy and Government. Each Saturday, she presents key updates on U.S. foreign policy from the State Department.
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