Just as multiple U.S.-based airlines begin regularly flying tourists in and out of Cuba and relations between the island and the U.S. begin thawing, a new presidential administration and changing of the guard on the island casts doubt on the future of Cuba-U.S. business relations.
It has been nearly two years since the U.S. and Cuba restored diplomatic relations in a historic thaw initiated by Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro. And while only Congress can lift the long-festering U.S. trade embargo against the communist government, Obama issued a series of executive orders that eased curbs on commerce by American businesses. Early this year, federal regulators gave approval to eight U.S. airlines to begin scheduled service to Havana.
