President Joe Biden Extends National Emergency State with Cuba for Another Year
President Joe Biden has decided to extend the state of national emergency with respect to Cuba for another year, which includes the prohibition of all ships with the American flag from touching ports on the island. This decision has been a standard practice since 1996 following the aerial events with two Brothers to the Rescue planes.
The current extension, signed by President Biden, has already been officially published in the Federal Register and communicated to the United States Congress. It continues the state of emergency declared on March 1, 1996, through “Proclamation 6867,” which addresses the disruption of international relations caused by the destruction of two unarmed civilian aircraft registered in the United States by the Cuban Government on February 24, 1996.
The emergency was expanded in 2004 with “Proclamation 7757,” which denied all monetary and material support to Cuba. It was further modified in 2016 and 2018 through “Proclamation 9699,” based on continuing disturbances in international relations related to Cuba.
President Biden’s decision to extend the state of emergency was justified by the Cuban Government’s failure to demonstrate a commitment to refraining from excessive use of force against US ships or aircraft participating in commemorative activities or peaceful protests in northern Cuba. The unauthorized entry of any US-registered vessel into Cuban territorial waters is seen as detrimental to US foreign policy and could lead to massive migration from Cuba.
This extension highlights the ongoing tensions between the United States and Cuba and the importance of maintaining diplomatic stability in the region.