Cuban president rejects U.S. extension of ban on flights

Tourists pose for a selfie in front of a tourist bus in the area of Old Havana, in Havana, capital of Cuba, Sept. 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez)

On Friday, the U.S. government announced the suspension of all public charter flights to Cuba, except those to Havana's Jose Marti International Airport.

HAVANA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday strongly rejected the U.S. extension of ban on charter flights between the United States and Cuban destinations except Havana.

"Cuba rejects new ban on charter flights imposed by the United States. The escalation of sanctions violates the human rights of Cubans and of Americans," the president tweeted.

On Friday, the U.S. government announced the suspension of all public charter flights to Cuba, except those to Havana's Jose Marti International Airport.

This new sanction, which affects nine airports on the island, is an extension of last year's ban on U.S. commercial flights to all Cuban destinations except Havana.

Public charter flight operators will have a 60-day wind-down period to discontinue all affected flights, according to the U.S. statement.

The prohibition on charter flights adds to a set of sanctions implemented by Washington against Havana since U.S. President Donald Trump took office, seeking to stifle the island's economy, especially the tourism sector.