“When the Biden-Harris Administration (2021-2025) authorized Denver, Colorado-based Western Union Company (2024 revenue approximately US$4.2 billion) to use Havana, Republic of Cuba government-operated Orbit S.A. as the facilitator for electronic remittance transactions originating from the United States, there was knowledge by the United States Department of State that Orbit S.A. was affiliated with the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) of the Republic of Cuba. Since the goal was to re-establish electronic remittance transactions as soon as possible, a decision was made to ignore real or otherwise connectivity with FAR.”

United States Department of State
Washington DC
31 January 2025

Within the first two weeks of President Trump’s term, the State Department took decisive action to rescind major last-minute policy changes on Cuba announced by the previous administration on January 14.

The President acted on his first day in office to keep Cuba on the SST list, where it belongs. The Cuban regime has long supported acts of international terrorism. We call for the regime to end its support for terrorism, and to stop providing food, housing, and medical care to foreign murderers, bombmakers, and hijackers, while Cubans go hungry and lack access to basic medicine.

In a January 29 letter to the appropriate Congressional committees, I withdrew the prior administration’s letter regarding the LIBERTAD Act. The Trump Administration is committed to U.S. persons having the ability to bring private rights of action involving trafficked property confiscated by the Cuban regime.

On January 31, I approved the re-creation of the Cuba Restricted List, which prohibits certain transactions with companies under the control of, or acting for or on behalf of, the repressive Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel. The State Department is re-issuing the Cuba Restricted List to deny resources to the very branches of the Cuban regime that directly oppress and surveil the Cuban people while controlling large swaths of the country’s economy. In addition to restoring the entities that were on the list until the final week of the previous administration, we are adding Orbit, S.A., a remittance-processing company operating for or on behalf of the Cuban military.

The State Department promotes accountability for the Cuban regime for oppressing its people and rejects Cuba’s malign interference across the Americas and throughout the world. We support the Cuban people’s human rights and fundamental freedoms and demand the release of all unjustly detained political prisoners. Our Embassy in Havana is meeting with families of those unjustly detained, as well as dissidents, so that they know the United States wholeheartedly supports them. We are steadfast in our commitment to the Cuban people and promote accountability for the Cuban regime’s actions.

Links To Related Analyses

Has Cuba Provided An Opportunity For Biden-Harris Administration To Renew Electronic Remittance Services? Orbit S.A. In Cuba Now Permitted To Engage. Can It Meet U.S. Conditions? A False-Flag? February 09, 2022

OFAC Authorizes Orbit S.A. In Cuba To Engage In Remittance Transactions- Not On Cuba Restricted List (CRL). Western Union Next Up To Return? November 18, 2022

Who Or What Is Delaying Western Union From Authorizing Commercial Transfers From U.S.-Cuba And From Cuba-U.S.? Biden? Diaz-Canel? MSME's Waiting With U.S.-Based Companies And Entrepreneurs April 22, 2023