U.S. to suspend charter flights to Cuba

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a press briefing in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 5, 2020. /Xinhua

The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday called for the suspension of private flights to Cuba in efforts to pile more economic pressure on Havana.

"This action will suspend all charter flights between the United States and Cuba over which the Department of Transportation exercises jurisdiction, except for authorized public charter flights to and from Havana and other authorized private charter flights for emergency medical purposes, search and rescue, and other travel deemed in the interest of the United States," Pompeo said in a statement.

The move is aimed at denying the Cuban government income earned from landing fees, accommodation in regime-owned hotels and other travel-related income.

The current U.S. administration ramped up efforts against Cuba, moving away from President Barack Obama's move to thaw hostilities, which saw the U.S. lift many of the restrictions that prevented Americans from visiting Cuba, including those with family there.

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration however moved away from the detente with Havana, which he called a "one-sided deal."