U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, Inc. New York, New York Telephone (917) 453-6726 • E-mail:
[email protected] Internet: http://www.cubatrade.org • Twitter: @CubaCouncil Facebook: www.facebook.com/uscubatradeandeconomiccouncil LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/u-s--cuba-trade-and-economic-council-inc- Politico Arlington, Virginia 19 August 2021 White House sticks with hardline approach to Cuba The administration announced new sanctions on the Cuban regime as the Homeland Security secretary met with Cuban Americans in Miami. The Cuban-born Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas is the first Biden Cabinet official to visit Miami since the protests erupted on the communist-run island more than a month ago. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo By SABRINA RODRIGUEZ and MARC CAPUTO MIAMI — President Joe Biden’s Homeland Security secretary met Thursday with prominent Cuban- American activists here and announced new sanctions on Cuban regime officials, the latest move that aligns the Democrat’s policies more with Donald Trump than Barack Obama. The Cuban-born Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas is the first Biden Cabinet official to visit Miami since the protests erupted on the communist-run island more than a month ago. His trip came as the Biden administration announced on Thursday its fourth round of sanctions on Cuban regime officials involved in the crackdown following the historic anti-government protests, which involved thousands of Cubans taking to the street across the island to call for freedom. Mayorkas, speaking to the press following a two-hour listening session with Cuban Americans, repeatedly underscored the Biden administration’s commitment to supporting the Cuban people and nodded to critics that have argued President Joe Biden is moving too slowly and not speaking up enough on the situation in Cuba.