Trump vows revamp of Obama-era Cuba deal

MIAMI: US President Donald Trump on Friday vowed to roll back his predecessor Barack Obama’s deal re-opening trade ties with Havana, in favor of measures to support the Cuban people against what he called their “cruel and brutal” regime.

“Effective immediately, I am canceling the last administration’s completely one-sided deal with Cuba,” he declared before an audience packed with Cuban-Americans, cheering and chanting: “Viva Cuba libre!”

“Our policy will seek a much better deal for the Cuban people and for the United States of America. We do not want US dollars to prop up a military monopoly that exploits and abuses the citizens of Cuba,” Trump pledged.

“We will not lift sanctions on the Cuban regime until all political prisoners are free,” he said, introducing the crowd to Cuban dissidents, invited to his speech in a theater in Miami’s Little Havana, spiritual home of the exile community.

“It is best for America to have freedom in its hemisphere whether in Cuba or Venezuela,” he said, to huge cheers and a standing ovation.