24 June, 2017
They aggressively criticized each other, and Rubio dropped out after Trump decisively defeated Rubio in the March 2016 Florida primary.
Polls suggest most Americans support the liberalized policy towards Cuba pushed by the Obama administration. He's expected to unveil his policy in a speech Friday in Miami.
Trump will not go so far as to sever diplomatic ties with Havana or shutter the USA embassy that reopened there in 2015.
Trump's policy aims to shift the flow of USA money from the Cuban military that controls much of the economy to the emerging private sector.
"We have invested significant resources establishing a presence in Cuba, and with one hotel open and another in the pipeline we have just begun our work creating opportunity and a more vibrant tourism sector on the island". Jubilation faded to resignation.
Ordinary Cubans are bracing for the worst. Although Trump lost the Miami area to Hillary Clinton by double digits, he credits support from Cuban-Americans for helping him eke out a narrow victory statewide.
A summary of the policy suggested that tourism to the country would be prohibited.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Thursday that Trump will "make an announcement on U.S. -Cuba policy", but did not offer any further details on the matter.
"All of the problems between the two countries need to end so she can go to the U.S. Embassy and say, 'I want to see my son, ' buy a ticket and go for the weekend", Reinoso said.
Under Obama, the two countries restored diplomatic ties and direct communications, including air connections and postal service.
Some business groups, meanwhile, lobbied the Trump administration to keep the Obama rules in place, including hotel and airline interest seeking to expand business into the island.
Rubio is in the forefront of those pushing for change in the Obama rapprochement. "His visit influenced society because the people saw the so-called opening, despite it happening in slow steps compared to the rhetoric. Our view is we are", Tillerson said. "I have so many friends from Cuba". Nor will Cuban-Americans' ability to make unlimited family visits and remittances to Cuba be affected.
The directive means that Americans can no longer travel to Cuba from the US.
"Obama was a very wise man".
During last year's presidential campaign, Trump threatened to "terminate" deals that the Obama administration made with Cuba.
Trump's policy will not reinstate wet foot, dry foot, the policy that allowed Cuban immigrants who reached USA soil to remain in the country. Castro is still there.
"A lot of people have invested money in businesses, B & B's and so forth, and they are gonna lose", said Russ Morrison. "Tomorrow is going to be a good day for the Cuban people", said Rubio.
But his immediate worry was much more personal.
However, after renewed relations and so many concessions on the United States' part, it became the only leverage over the regime that the United States had left.
Ties under Trump are bound to slide back, he noted.
The moves come after the USA made steps to engage Cuba during the Obama administration. Gisela Salomon in Miami also contributed.
