Trump paves the way for U.S. companies to enter Cuba

The U.S. Treasury published in Monday's Federal Register a special licensing framework that allows narrow commercial ties with Cuba. The new rules permit small and mid-sized U.S. firms to operate in broadband infrastructure, seeds and food processing, and pharmaceuticals or medical devices. The overall embargo remains in place; the licences are individual and revocable.

A White House spokesperson said the licences are designed to "directly benefit the Cuban people" and added that firms doing business with state-run conglomerates will not qualify. Two Latin American diplomats cited by El País said Washington has paired the move with last month's tightened maritime sanctions as part of a "carrot-and-stick" approach.

The Havana government has not yet issued an official response; Foreign Ministry sources said the technical details of the new framework are being reviewed. The European Commission published a note assessing how the change could affect existing European positions in Cuba; Brussels may seek assurances that EU firms are not exposed to secondary sanctions linked to the U.S. licensing regime.