How will US President Trump's restrictions affect Havana?

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By CGTN's Michelle Begue

One day after US President Donald Trump unveiled new restrictions on travel and business in Cuba – reversing some Obama-era Cuba policies – Cubans are still optimistic.

"We will continue the fight, until the end. The Americans have helped the economy somewhat but it isn't everything because we get tourists from many countries, not just the US," Omara Mata, owner of Casa Victor Restaurant, said.

Tourists pose for pictures at the Cathedral Square in Havana, Cuba, June 17, 2017. /VCG Photo

Omara has been serving tourists in her private restaurant for the last five years. She believes US citizens are the ones who have more to lose.

"I have no worries because we have had so many years of embargoes and things. The only thing the president is doing is taking away the supposed freedoms the American people have," Mata added.

The new policy says Americans will no longer be able to plan their own Cuba trip under a people-to-people exchange license. Those who go as part of an educational tour will be subject to strict new rules and audits.

US President Donald Trump receives a kiss from Cuban dissident Cary Roque at an event where he announced his Cuba policy in the Little Havana neighborhood in Miami, Florida, June 16, 2017. /VCG Photo

Trump says this is to ensure that US visitor money is not going towards the Cuban military.

But one Cuban economist said small Cuban businesses already have a tradition of supplying tourism services.

"US tourists visit the private restaurants, they never eat at government-owned restaurants. Many who come use the old nostalgic private cars as transportation. This is already happening," economist Omar Everleny-Perez said.

Opponents of US President Donald Trump demonstrate in Miami on June 16, 2017. /VCG Photo

In the first five months of 2017, the number of visitors to Cuba from the US was roughly the same number as for most of 2016. But Everleny-Perez says this is still just a fraction of the four million tourist who visited the island overall.

"The US tourism has been important for Cuba, not decisive. The 285,000 tourists that came in 2016 is only five percent of the tourism that comes to Cuba. We are not talking about Canada, which is 40 percent."

In a written statement published on Friday night, the Cuban government called Trump’s announcement a step back in relations, but reiterated a willingness to continue a "respectful and cooperative dialogue."

Whether or not US citizens will continue to visit the island under tighter restrictions will only be seen in the future. But today what is clear is the Cuban people's unwavering sense of perseverance.

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