Cuba’s ability to trade with the rest of the world severely impaired by the US embargo.

Most international banks get very nervous about facilitating transactions involving Cuba and even tourists who visit Cuba can have their travel to the US restricted.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requireme...

This is very misleading.

From Wikipedia:

”The United States has threatened to stop financial aid to other countries if they trade non-food items with Cuba.”

"While the US measures against Cuba do not amount to a blockade in a technical or formal sense, their cumulative effect is to put an economic stranglehold on the island, which not only prevents the United States intercourse but also effectively blocks commerce with other states, their citizens and companies."

”Despite the existence of the embargo, Cuba can, and does, conduct international trade with many countries, including many US allies; however, US-based companies, and companies that do business with the US, which trade in Cuba do so at the risk of US sanctions.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_embargo_against_...

The US embargo includes NATO members. I don’t have the source handy at the moment but it’s clear that any current trade partners with the US would be violating the embargo if they attempt read with Cuba.

At minute 12:33 in this video it explains the 180-days rule and other details:

https://youtu.be/WgWK6_AYq_o?si=5aqdt7DW-gYd7XdN

it might not be completely cut off, but the embargo is harsh, especially for an island ot only 10M people

My friend's father can't travel to the US anymore (including transfer flights through) because he is higher up in a nickel mining company that does a lot of business in Cuba. Bank accounts, trading accounts, wire transfers, etc.. nothing can go through the US. Ships that dock in Cuban ports can't then go on to dock in US ports. etc. etc. etc

It's a kind of blockade