HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 25 (acn) Cuban academic, Francisco Lopez, from the Raul Roa Garcia Higher Institute of International Relations spoke on Wednesday on the current moment of US-Cuba relations since Donald Trump arrived at the White House.
As part of his conference at the 2nd Cuban Revolution International Symposium: Genesis and Historic Development, Lopez shared his point of view on what he characterized as the fourth stage of the ties, marked by a strengthening of Washington's policy towards Havana.
According to the expert, this recent moment is linked with the alleged sonic incidents of US diplomats in Cuba and taking as a pretext to obstruct the development of diplomatic relations established during the Barack Obama Administration.
He mentioned that after the accusations, the US withdrew 60 percent of its diplomatic personnel from its embassy in Havana and ordered the expulsion of Cuban diplomats in Washington worsening the situation between both nations.
Lopez explained that another negative moment in bilateral ties during the nine months of the Trump administration was the announcement of the new policy towards the Caribbean island on June 16th.
He added that Trump's announcement limits even further for US citizens to travel individually to Cuba and can only do so under one of the 12 general categories established during the Obama administration and limits economic activities linked to the Revolutionary Armed Forces, among others.
The specialist indicated that such restrictions, which hurts bilateral relations, does not affect the 22 signed agreements penned between countries during the Barack Obama administration.
The Cuban academic recalled that before Trump took office, important advances had been taken, like the reestablishment of direct commercial flights and security, health, environmental protection, migratory policy among others.
Before such situations, he praised Cuba's position of serenity and professionalism, willing to continue dialog based on mutual respect and without giving in to any concessions to its sovereignty.
Sponsored by the Cuban History Institute, the symposium will conclude on Thursday with the participation of over 130 experts from 20 countries.
The forum is held in the context of the Centennial of the October Revolution, 55th anniversary of the October Missile Crisis and half a century of the fall in combat of Commander Ernesto Che Guevara.
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