LOC22:49
19:49 GMT
WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump announced Friday that his administration will take a "decisive action" against "communist" Cuba and "socialist" Venezuela.
The US administration would take the action against the two countries' governments to secure peace and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere, Trump stated.
He made his remarks in a speech to a packed room in the White House commemorating Hispanic-American month.
He announced he would not lift sanctions against Cuba, essentially rolling back former President Barack Obama-era policy of engagement with Cuba.
"We will not lift sanctions on the Cuban regime until it delivers full political freedom for the Cuban people," said Trump.
"The same failed communist ideology that has brought oppression to Cuba has brought nothing but suffering and misery everywhere it has been anywhere in the world," he added.
Under Trump's new policy, Americans or "persons subject to US jurisdiction" wishing to travel to or do business with Cuba will now face much tighter restrictions.
Trump also took aim at Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who recently criticized Trump's knowledge of Latin America.
"We stand with the people of Venezuela who suffer under the ruthless socialism of the Maduro regime," he said.
"We reject socialist oppression and we call for the restoration of democracy and freedom for citizens of Venezuela," Trump said.
Trump's comments follow an escalating diplomatic feud between the two leaders.
In August, Trump threatened Venezuela with a "military option," shortly after the US government added Maduro to its sanction list.
The South American country was added to the Trump administration's latest version of its controversial travel ban, making it one of the few non-Muslim countries to be added. (end)
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