RECORD OF SANCTIONS FOR TRADE WITH CUBA UNDER OBAMA GOVT. http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=173385

The government of Barack Obama has imposed fines totaling over 1.10 billion USD to firms or citizens for trading with Cuba, well above figures registered under previous US administrations. The total amount of fines that more than 20 firms and citizens have had to pay in the period "have far exceeded" those imposed previously, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Orlando Hernandez Guillen told journalists on Friday.Taking into account those figures "we cannot speak about any relaxation of measures against Cuba," on the contrary, "the United States increasingly ignores the world demand to put an end to the economic, financial blockade on our country," he said.

He added that the application of US sanctions and pressure on firms, banks and citizens that trade with Cuba generates a deterrent effect among potential investors and prevents the establishment of joint ventures in important sectors. The Cuban official denounced that the US blockade and current regulations like the Helms-Burton and Torricelli acts prevent Cuba from having access to US state-of-the-art technology to develop its oil industry, health, aviation and other economic and social sectors.

He said that the US blockade also prevents the country from accessing funds from foreign banks to develop projects with foreign direct investment in the country, as it penalizes banks that may eventually take part in investments in the Island. "Damages caused by the US economic war against Cuba have got heavier" he said None of the measures adopted by the Obama Administration have implied any substantial change in the US policy towards Cuba because their scope has been very limited.They have focused mainly on the elimination of very punctual restrictions, maintaining in essence the blockade imposed on our country since 1962 as a means for political pressure.