Havana, Cuba.- The Trump administration announced it is activating a clause of the Helms-Burton law of 1996 –Title III, which allows claims holders to sue foreign companies that do business on the island using properties nationalized after the 1959 Cuban revolution.

Cuba claims the nationalizations were conducted in full compliance with Cuban and international law. At the time, Cuba reached compensation agreements with companies in regions and countries all over the world, many of which do business with Cuba today.

Canada's Sherritt International, regarded as the foreign company most heavily invested in Cuba, said that it will "continue to operate as usual" and "focus on meeting its nickel/cobalt production targets".

Also Spain's Meliá Hotels International — the biggest hotel management company in Cuba — said that the activation of Title III will not change anything in how it does business in the Caribbean state. "Cuba is an exceptional destination and must remain open for international tourism," the company added.

Meanwhile, U.S. cruise companies and airlines said they were still waiting for specific regulations before commenting.

A spokesperson for Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said: "We are closely monitoring recent developments with respect to U.S.-Cuba travel. At this time no new regulations have been issued and accordingly, the company's itineraries, which include Cuba as a destination will continue as scheduled."

Recognized worldwide as a popular and safe tourist destination, Cuba welcomed more than 800,000 cruise passengers in 2018. The specialized publication Cruise Critic named Havana the best destination and cruise port in the Western Caribbean and the Riviera Maya.

MEXICO AND CHINA VOW TO PROTECT FIRMS AGAINST U.S. SANCTIONS ON CUBA

Mexico City.- A number of countries have come out against the Donald Trump administration's unilateral decision to allow the complete application of the controversial Title III of the Helms-Burton Law, opening the doors to a flood of lawsuits over alleged confiscation of property by the Cuban state.

Mexico has deplored the decision of the United States to apply Title III, affirming that it would protect the companies of the country that do business or have an interest in doing so on the Island. "As it has done historically, Mexico rejects the application of unilateral trade laws with extraterritorial character, because they violate the rules of international law," said the Foreign Ministry of Mexico.

The government affirmed that "it will protect Mexican companies that do or have an interest in doing business with Cuba and that could be affected."

In related news, Beijing also condemned the U.S. sanctions against Havana. "China always opposes the imposition of unilateral sanctions outside the framework the United Nations Security Council. The U.S. blockade has already caused great damage to the economic and social development of Cuba and has disrupted the lives of its people," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang at a press conference.

Meanwhile, Moscow immediately reacted to the U.S decision and rejected the reactivation of the Title III Helms-Burton Act as well as the new wave of U.S. sanctions imposed on Venezuela. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Serguei Riabkov said the U.S. decisions were "totally unacceptable." And he added: "Venezuela and Cuba are our allies in this region; they are our strategic partners; we will do everything that depends on us to receive our support."

Also, the Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zajarova said during a weekly press conference that Moscow was "against any unilateral sanction."

"Sanctions are only possible if they are prepared within the framework of international institutions, such as the United Nations, based on international law, collectively," she declared.

The president of the Association of Spanish Entrepreneurs in Cuba (AEEC), Xulio Fontecha, urged the European Union (EU) to apply "reciprocity" and punish the U.S. companies that use European companies for profiting from their old properties on the island.

The European Union (EU) and Canada issued a joint warning against the United States Wednesday after Washington reported that it would enforce Title III of the controversial Helms-Burton Law.

MELIA HOTELS REJECTS US HARDENED SANCTIONS AGAINST CUBA

Havana.- Spanish hotel chain Meliá Hotels International has issued on Friday a statement rejecting the latest US sanctions against Cuba that harden the 60-year economic, financial and trade blockade on the island.

Following the full application of the Helms-Burton law, including its controversial Title III, the company has stressed its will to keep operating in Cuba where it has over 35 hotels.

In its statement, Meliá assures it will continue to work for the development of a more sustainable tourist industry on the island.

It recalls it legitimately operates in Cuba and in another 44 countries based on an impeccable, professional and responsible management for the past 30 years in the island, which it considers an exceptional destination that should continue to be opened to international tourism.

The statement adds that although it regrets the uncertainty and juridical insecurity created by the White House announcement, Meliá will keep on operating with full normalcy in Cuba.

Meliá thanks the firm support and the positive reaction of the Spanish government and the European Commission to protect affected foreign companies. (RHC / PL)

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