Alexander Otaola, a prominent media personality, has called on President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on travel agencies facilitating flights to Cuba in a bid to put an end to the so-called "mule" operations. "Good morning to Trump and the world, mundane. Today, please, target the agencies and trips to Cuba. It's a beautiful morning to stop the mules!" he declared on his Facebook page.
Otaola has organized a demonstration in Washington to express support for Trump's policies towards Cuba and to denounce human rights abuses occurring on the island. This gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, at Lafayette Square, across from the White House, and aims to bring together members of the Cuban exile community in the United States.
President Trump has already taken steps affecting Cuba. Shortly after his inauguration, he signed at least 10 executive orders to fulfill his campaign promises, including the termination of the humanitarian parole and the CBP One mobile app for asylum requests.
Furthermore, Trump reversed a decision by the Joe Biden administration to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Six days after Biden announced the exclusion of Cuba from this list, as part of a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners on the island, Trump signed an executive order nullifying the "Presidential Memorandum of January 14, 2025 (Certification of Rescission of the Designation of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism)."
Understanding the Impact of Sanctions on Cuba
What are "mule" operations?
"Mule" operations typically refer to individuals who transport goods and money between countries, often bypassing official channels and regulations.
Why is Otaola advocating for sanctions against travel agencies?
Otaola believes that imposing sanctions on travel agencies could disrupt the networks facilitating mule operations, thereby reducing illegal activities and supporting Trump's hardline policies on Cuba.
How has Trump's administration previously affected Cuba?
The Trump administration has implemented various measures, such as eliminating the humanitarian parole and revoking decisions that would have removed Cuba from the terrorism sponsor list, to exert pressure on the Cuban government.