Lawmaker Seeks Probe of Possible Cuba Sanctions Evasion
Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, urged the Trump administration Aug. 21 to investigate allegations that a “number” of new companies in South Florida are trying to evade U.S. sanctions on Cuba.
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In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Salazar said the companies are offering services such as “tourism packages,” “logistics,” door-to-door shipping and car sales in an apparent attempt to sidestep U.S. restrictions on American ties with Cuba. She said some of the companies were founded by individuals with connections to the Cuban government.
"I request that the State and Treasury departments look into these violations and take appropriate action," Salazar wrote. "Both the spirit and the letter of the United States law regarding Cuba prohibit American tourism in Cuba as well as commerce with the communist regime."
She added that President Donald Trump “made it clear” in a June memo that he supports strict enforcement of Cuba sanctions (see 2507010040).
The State Department declined to comment on her letter. Treasury had no immediate response to a request for comment.