{"id":269207,"date":"2023-05-06T15:36:20","date_gmt":"2023-05-06T19:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/?p=269207"},"modified":"2023-05-09T15:36:14","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T19:36:14","slug":"cuban-entrepreneurs-address-biden-we-ask-again-that-you-listen-to-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/cuba\/economy\/entrepreneurship-in-cuba\/cuban-entrepreneurs-address-biden-we-ask-again-that-you-listen-to-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Cuban entrepreneurs address Biden: \u201cWe ask again that you listen to us\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a few days, on May 16, it will be one year since the Biden administration announced measures for the \u201csupport to the Cuban people,\u201d among which were some specific ones for the private sector on the island.<\/span><\/p>\n

The government of the United States <\/span>then made the commitment<\/span><\/a> to resolve very specific aspects that impede or hinder the development of this sector, which already concentrates 35% of the active labor force, no less than 550,000 workers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe will encourage the growth of Cuba\u2019s private sector,\u201d the statement said, \u201cby supporting greater access to U.S. Internet services, applications, and e-commerce platforms.\u00a0 We will support new avenues for electronic payments and for U.S. business activities with independent Cuban entrepreneurs, including through increased access to microfinance and training.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Twelve months later, those promises have not been fulfilled.<\/span><\/p>\n

The slight movements of the administration in relation to Cuba until now have contemplated the reopening <\/a><\/span>of consular procedures<\/span> and the granting of immigrant visas in Havana; the elimination of the limits to the sending of remittances; the reopening of the family reunification program and the inclusion of Cuba in the humanitarian parole program that started last January. Little more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the measures taken during the Trump administration to strengthen the U.S. sanctions policy against Cuba remain untouched. Among all of them, the inclusion in the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism has <\/span>serious consequences<\/span><\/a> for the development of the emerging private sector on the island.<\/span><\/p>\n

A letter and seven requests<\/b><\/p>\n

In a new attempt to make themselves noticed and take their point of view, without mediation, to the White House, a group of Cuban entrepreneurs wrote <\/span>a new letter to President Biden<\/span><\/a>, continuing a <\/span>similar action<\/span><\/a> on November 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n

Owners of MSMEs, representatives of cooperatives and local development projects, independent workers and artists are adding their signatures to support this message, which includes a list of seven specific requests for the administration. (The text is attached at the end of the article.)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are doing our best to build a future in our country, to create opportunities for ourselves, our employees and families. We urge you again to fulfill your campaign promise to resume the path of engagement and normalization, and to fulfill your more recent promise of supporting the Cuban private sector..\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The signatories call on Biden to begin by acknowledging \u201csignificant harm that the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration and that your administration has maintained have brought over our businesses, families and communities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They also recall that the Democratic administration itself \u201crecognizes that U.S. sanctions against Cuba have caused the current economic crisis facing our country.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The coalition of organizations and individuals for the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States, ACERE, has facilitated its web platform to publicize the letter and gather supporters.<\/span><\/p>\n

In statements to <\/span>OnCuba<\/b>, Manuel Ram\u00edrez, ACERE spokesman, said that they expect \u201ca respectful response from the administration that reflects an understanding of the wishes of the Cuban private sector as indicated in the letter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis letter urges that specific measures be taken to benefit the Cuban private sector,\u201d Ram\u00edrez explained, \u201cincluding access to U.S. fintech companies, permission to open bank accounts in the United States, further easing the travel restrictions, establishing general licenses for open trade and lifting restrictions on U.S. exports to Cuba and Cuban exports to the United States. In order to achieve these measures, it is necessary to remove Cuba from the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike the letter sent to Biden in November 2021 by Cuban private sector actors, this time the support of U.S. companies stands out.<\/span><\/p>\n

So far, 7,867 people have signed, owners or representatives of 181 private companies and business organizations from Cuba and the United States (23), including associations and federations that represent thousands of companies and cooperatives, with millions of members.<\/span><\/p>\n