Trump to announce curbs on business and tighter rules with Cuba

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to announce curbs on US firms doing business with the Cuban military and tighter rules on travel to the island Friday, as he moves to roll back an opening initiated by Barack Obama.

Trump will travel on Friday to Miami, where he is set to announce a prohibition on "financial transactions" with military-backed tourism conglomerate GAESA, according to a source close to the deliberations.

The firm -- run by President Raul Castro's son-in-law Luis Rodriguez Lopez-Callejas -- is currently involved in joint ventures with several foreign firms that have driven tourism to the island, including the Marriott hotel chain.

Detailing a new National Security Presidential Memorandum, Trump is also expected to announce stricter enforcement of rules under which Americans can travel to Cuba.

American citizens will still be able to get commercial flights to Cuba, but only under 12 reasons -- from journalism to educational activities -- which will be more strictly enforced.

Cuban-Americans will still be able to travel to Cuba and send remittances, limiting the impact on residents of Florida, where many Cuban emigres settled.

The measures stop well short of upending Obama-era policies, which sought to end decades of isolation that did little to dislodge Fidel and Raul Castro's regime.

There are also expected to be exemptions for agricultural products as well as some air and sea operations.

But it does signal a tougher stance that could slow the number of Americans who have begun to flood into Cuba for Havana city breaks or on weeks-long beach holidays.

(AFP)