Purchases of Cuban rum and cigars, popular souvenirs of visits to Cuba, now are off-limits to American visitors, according to new restrictions announced Sept. 23 by the Trump administration.
In October 2015, the Obama administration moved to allow visitors to purchase and bring home unlimited quantities of Cuba's signature products for personal consumption, relaxing a restriction that had been in place since 1962.
In addition, the Treasury Department will continue to prohibit U.S. travelers from staying at properties owned by the Cuban government, according to the announcement.
The State Department is creating the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List, a specific page on its website listing which properties are restricted. The list is expected to be posted soon at www.state.gov/cuba-sanctions.
Also eliminated is travel by U.S. citizens to Cuba for sporting events, performances or professional meetings and conferences.
U.S. citizens who want to travel to Cuba for those activities must apply for a specific license granted on a case-by-case basis, according to the Treasury Department.
The Cuban government closed its borders six months ago, and all commercial flights from the U.S. have been suspended due to the Covid-19 outbreak.