US suspends Cuba airflights

The U.S. Department of Transportation has suspended, until further notice, scheduled air service between the United States and nine (9) Cuban international airports - other than Havana’s Jose Marti International – on Oct. 25 to prevent the Cuban regime from profiting from American air travelers. U.S. air carriers have 45 days to discontinue all scheduled air service between the United States and those nine airports in Cuba. In line with the President’s foreign policy toward Cuba, this action prevents revenue from reaching the Cuban regime that has been used to finance its ongoing repression of Cubans and support of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. In suspending flights, at the request of the U.S. State Department, it is designed to impede the Cuban regime from gaining access to hard U.S. currency from travelers staying in its state-controlled resorts and attractions, and contributing to the Cuban regime’s coffers, according to a State Department media note of Oct. 25. The U.S. continues to hold Cuba accountable for its repression of the Cuban people, and its interference in Venezuela that includes “its unconscionable support of the illegitimate Maduro regime,” the note continued. “The human rights situation in Cuba remains abysmal, with state authorities harassing and arbitrarily jailing activists, dissidents, artists, and others questioning regime authority with impunity.” Despite widespread worldwide condemnation, Maduro “continues to undermine his country’s institutions and subvert the Venezuelan people’s right to self-determination,” the media note continued. Empowered by Cuba, Maduro has “created a humanitarian disaster that destabilizes the region.” (Source: State Department media note 10/25/19) Gulf Coast Note: New Orleans has flights to three of the nine Cuban airports. https://www.state.gov/united-states-restricts-scheduled-air-service-to-cuban-airports/