The changes announced this Tuesday by the Joe Biden Administration, which include, among other measures, the private sector access to the US banking systemhas been met with criticism in many sectors of South Florida, enthusiasm in a few and a third group is skeptical.
Many consider that the Biden administration’s announcement It will not have any positive impact on the lives of ordinary Cubans nor on the path towards democracy on the island.
They also believe that It oxygenates the Cuban regime and opens a gap for it to continue governing.
“This shouldn’t have to be explained again. “This must be accumulated wisdom,” lamented the lawyer. Nick Gutierrezpresident of the National Association of Cuban Landowners, who pointed out that the Cuban government is finding ways to circumvent the embargo.
“They have opened some exceptions that the Cuban government is more than capable of exploiting,” the lawyer added.
He also spoke out against the announcement. the Cuban-American congressman Carlos Giménez.
“As I said, now we are going to see more and more openness with the communist regime in Cuba. Now giving access to private companies in Cuba, to the US banking system to give them access to capital, etc., is crazy,” said Giménez in statements reported by America Camel.
“There are no private companies in Cuba. Do you really believe that there are private companies in Cuba that have up to one hundred employees? “It’s crazy, it’s an excuse to have more and more openness with this regime that has oppressed its own people for 60 years.”added the legislator.
“We have reported dozens of MSMEs that have public links with the Cuban regime, which are operated by intelligence agents, former diplomats, retired military personnel,” he told Telemundo 51 Gelet Martínez, founder and director of the ADN Cuba portal.
“To function, these small businesses have to obey the State. You have to shut up, obey and ignore the things that are happening in the country, if you want to keep your business,” Martínez added.
The lawyer does not think the same Pedro A. Freyrewho believes that the measure is positive and does represent an opportunity for Cubans to access financial services without depending on the government.
“When you have a small businessman, you do not depend 100 percent on the government, and that is the most important thing about this announcement,” he told the lawyer of Cuban origin, who represents several American companies with interests on the island.
“This offers you freedom of functioning, freedom of movement and above all, freedom of thought,” he added; and stressed that it exponentially increases “opportunities.”
“If you are an entrepreneur, you can say: I have my bank account and from there, we can make transactions, from the purchase of raw materials to the export of the products,” he noted.
Regarding the possibility of people close to the government sneaking into MSMEs, Freyre described the concern as “legitimate”, but said that the vast majority “are ordinary Cubans.”
“It may be that with this, people who should not take advantage of it, but we must analyze the benefits and risks and, in this case, I believe, the benefit is greater. In a very profound way, MYPIMES are changing many dynamics within the country,” he added.
Nevertheless, The measure relating to banks could be met with the refusal of some entities to accept the opening of these accounts.
“Banks are always weighing risks and benefits and until now Cuba has been more risk than benefit,” Freyre admitted.
Economic opening for MSMEs
The amendments, which will go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register on May 29, 2024, include key measures such as authorizing cloud-based services to facilitate communication over the Internet and expanding services for the installation and repair of telecommunications equipment.
In addition, the export and re-export of software and mobile applications of Cuban origin will be allowed from the United States to third countries.
Another significant modification is the redefinition of the term “independent private sector entrepreneurs,” which now excludes prohibited officials of the Government of Cuba and members of the Cuban Communist Party.
This new definition covers not only self-employed workers, but also cooperatives and other private companies with up to 100 employees. However, it has been shown that several Cuban MSMEs are made up of relatives of Castro’s leaders and officials and even deputies of the regime.
In addition, authorization for “U-turn” transactions has been reinstated, allowing banking institutions to process fund transfers involving Cuba, as long as they originate and terminate outside the United States and do not involve subject persons. to US jurisdiction.
That is, the Cuban private sector entrepreneurs will be able to access accounts in US banks and carry out financial transactions from third countries (U-Turn transactions) to send remittances and other payments to people on the island. The reporting process for telecommunications-related transactions has also been updated, eliminating the need to send faxes and allowing reports to be sent via email.
