Can we afford to lose $6.6 billion in revenue and 12k jobs?!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thurs., June 1, 2017

CONTACT: Madeleine Russak (626) 390-2158

ROLLING BACK CUBA POLICIES WOULD COST THE U.S. ECONOMY $6.6 BILLION AND AFFECT OVER 12,000 JOBS 

~ New economic impact analysis is released following reports that President Trump is set to to roll back President Obama's Cuba policies ~

WASHINGTON, D.C. -  Today, Engage Cuba led a coalition of business groups, economists and leading Cuba experts in releasing an economic impact analysis estimating that a reversal of Cuba policies would cost the U.S. economy $6.6 billion and affect 12,295 American jobs over the course of the first term of the Trump Administration. Obama Administration policies to loosen regulations on U.S. companies interested in doing business in Cuba have contributed to significant economic growth and job creation throughout the country.

The economic impact analysis was released on the heels of reports that the Trump Administration is set to roll back Obama-era Cuba policies, despite an ongoing inter-agency review that largely favors expanding travel to and trade with Cuba and concerns from U.S. military experts that reversing progress with Cuba would threaten U.S. national security interests. 

Rural communities across the country most reliant on agricultural, manufacturing, and shipping industries would be disproportionately affected by adding regulations on travel and trade to Cuba. This analysis excludes agricultural and medical exports because provisions allowing for limited exports in these sectors were authorized by Congress in 2001, thus predating Obama-era regulatory changes. However, new regulations on exporting agricultural commodities to Cuba could cost an additional $1.5 billion and affect 2,205 jobs more U.S. jobs.

Given their deep water ports and proximity to Cuba, imposing regulations on Cuba would particularly threaten economic growth and job creation in the Gulf states, including Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, all of which supported President Trump in the 2016 election. 

"Our new relationship with Cuba has led to tangible results for American companies, created U.S. jobs, and strengthened Cuba's growing private sector. If President Trump rolled back our Cuba policy, he would add job-killing government regulations on U.S. businesses. This directly conflicts with President Trump's campaign promises of removing onerous regulations and red tape on U.S. businesses," said President of Engage Cuba, James Williams. "Reimposing restrictions on traveling to Cuba would force Americans to jump through even more bureaucratic hoops to exercise their right to travel freely."

"How sadly ironic and short-sighted it would be if, soon after singing the praises of the repressive leaders of Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, President Trump were to return to a failed 55-year-old policy of sanctions and ultimatums against tiny Cuba," said U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). "Rather than cave to the pressure of a dwindling minority who are stuck in the past, he should go to Cuba and speak directly with the Cuban people on behalf of the overwhelming majority of Americans who favor closer relations.  He would see that the current policy has given the Cuban people real hope for a better future, a future that is naturally linked to the United States and the American people."

"In the past two years since President Obama announced his policy of opening up to Cuba, we've seen economic exchanges, investments and jobs growth in the U.S. and in Cuba's private sector. For a jobs-focused President, to reverse these jobs creating reforms, especially one that affects many of the agricultural states that voted for him, makes little economic sense and no political sense," said Christpher Sabatini, a Latin America specialist and executive director of Global Americans. "Ending economic ties and killing U.S. jobs won't improve human rights in Cuba; continuing engagement and expanding those job opportunities--on both sides of the Florida Straits--will."

Dozens of U.S. businesses in almost every sector have begun exploring opportunities for expansion into Cuba. The four major U.S. telecommunications providers now offer roaming on the island, and Google will now allow fast and easy access to its online services.

U.S. travel to Cuba has skyrocketed. As a result, seven U.S. airlines fly direct to Cuba and three cruise lines have reached deals. American travel giants including AirBnb, Expedia and TripAdvisor now offer services in Cuba.

Since December 17, 2014, the Obama Administration issued six rounds of regulatory changes that eased travel and trade restrictions on Cuba. These policy changes have contributed to significant economic activity throughout the country, particularly in the U.S. travel, tourism and manufacturing industries. Additionally, as a result of diplomatic relations, the agreement between the U.S. and Cuba to end the policy known as "wet foot, dry foot," which granted permanent residency and federal benefits to Cubans who arrived by land to the U.S., will save U.S. taxpayers a significant amount of money and strengthen U.S. national security. 

Cost Summary:
Summaries of the major areas affected by potential rollback are listed below, totaling $6.6 billion and 12,295 jobs. 

• Travel: U.S. travel to Cuba was liberalized over the past few years by expanding legal travel in 12 categories, self-authorization, and allowing both airlines and cruise lines to offer passenger service to the island. Rolling back expanded travel could cost airlines and cruise lines $3.5 billion and affect 10,154 jobs in those industries.

• Manufacturing: Manufacturing companies in the energy, chemical, and technology industries are finalizing commercial contracts that will create $929 million worth of exports from the U.S. to Cuba over the next four years. Revoking authorization for manufacturing exports would deal a blow of nearly $1 billion to American businesses and could cost up to 1,359 jobs.

• Remittances: Estimates on U.S. remittances to Cuba show that Cubans working in the United States send up to $4 billion back to the island every year. Over four years, cutting the remittance flow could cost American money transfer companies $1.2 billion and affect 782 jobs. Additionally, the increase flow of remittances has significantly helped Cuba's growing private sector. 

• Immigration: In January 2017, the Obama Administration and Cuba reached a deal to end the controversial "wet foot, dry foot" policy, which granted permanent residency to Cuban immigrants who arrived in the U.S. by land. Because the policy granted refugees access to federal social and healthcare entitlements, reinstating it would cost U.S. taxpayers $953 million over four years.

*Estimates do not include agricultural exports, which would bring the total to $8.1 billion USD and 14,500 jobs. 

*All estimates represent an accumulated cost over the four years of President Trump's first term. 

The full report is available here. This economic impact analysis was prepared by Engage Cuba in collaboration with:   

American Society of Travel Agents

Tomas Bilbao, Avila Strategies

Center for Democracy in the Americas

Cuba Educational Travel

Richard Feinberg, Professor, University of California San Diego

Ted Henken, Associate Professor, Baruch College

Vicki Huddleston, Former U.S. Ambassador

William Leogrande, Professor, American University

National Foreign Trade Council

Pearl Seas Cruises

Philip Peters, President, Cuba Research Center

Chris Sabatini, Executive Director, Global Americans

United States-Cuba Business Council

Washington Office on Latin America

About Engage Cuba
Engage Cuba is the leading coalition of private companies and organizations working to end the travel and trade embargo on Cuba. As a 501(c)(4) bipartisan non-profit whose funds are entirely dedicated to advocacy efforts, Engage Cuba is the only organization whose focus is U.S.-Cuba legislative advocacy. Engage Cuba is also committed to supporting the Cuban people and helping organizations and businesses navigate Cuban and U.S. regulations. The organization has the largest bipartisan lobbying operation working on U.S.-Cuba policy. Together with the Engage Cuba Policy Council of renowned experts, Engage Cuba provides timely updates on opportunities for U.S. business in Cuba, regulations, and market analysis. To get involved with Engage Cuba's mission or learn more, visit: http://www.engagecuba.org.

Declaración del presidente Barack Obama

Declaración del presidente Barack Obama sobre la política migratoria hacia Cuba

Hoy, Estados Unidos está dando pasos importantes para normalizar las relaciones con Cuba y para lograr una mayor consistencia en nuestra política de inmigración. El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional está poniendo fin a la llamada política de "pies mojados / pies secos", que se puso en práctica hace más de veinte años y fue diseñada para una época diferente.

Con efecto inmediato, los cubanos que intenten ingresar a los Estados Unidos ilegalmente y no califiquen para ayuda humanitaria estarán sujetos a deportación, de acuerdo con la ley de los Estados Unidos y las prioridades de su cumplimiento. Al dar este paso, estamos tratando a los emigrantes cubanos de la misma manera que tratamos a los migrantes de otros países.

El gobierno cubano ha acordado aceptar el regreso de los nacionales cubanos que tienen orden de deportación, al igual que ha aceptado el retorno de los inmigrantes interceptados en el mar.
Hoy, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional también está poniendo fin al Programa de especial de inmigración para médicos cubanos. Estados Unidos y Cuba están trabajando juntos para combatir enfermedades que ponen en peligro la salud y la vida de nuestro pueblo.

Proporcionando un trato preferencial al personal médico cubano, el programa especial de inmigración para médicos cubanos contradice estos esfuerzos y corre el riesgo de dañar al pueblo cubano. El personal médico cubano ahora será elegible para solicitar asilo en las embajadas y consulados de los Estados Unidos alrededor del mundo, de acuerdo con los procedimientos para todos los extranjeros.

Los Estados Unidos, una tierra de inmigrantes, se han enriquecido con las contribuciones de los cubano-americanos durante más de un siglo. Desde que asumí el cargo, hemos puesto a la comunidad cubanoamericana en el centro de nuestras políticas. Con este cambio continuaremos recibiendo a los cubanos mientras acogemos a inmigrantes de otras naciones, de acuerdo con nuestras leyes.

Durante mi Administración, trabajamos para mejorar la vida del pueblo cubano, dentro de Cuba, proporcionándoles un mayor acceso a recursos, información y conectividad con el resto del mundo.
Sostener ese enfoque es la mejor manera de asegurar que los cubanos puedan disfrutar de la prosperidad, perseguir reformas y determinar su propio destino. Como dije en La Habana, el futuro de Cuba debe estar en manos del pueblo cubano.

Dear Donald...

December 7, 2016

Cuban Entrepreneurs Announce Letter to President-elect Donald Trump 

Dear President-Elect Donald Trump:

Congratulations on your election as president of the United States. The Cuban people, particularly the private sector in Cuba, watched the election with much interest. As you know, U.S. policy towards Cuba greatly affects our day-to-day reality, including our commercial relationship with the United States and the rest of the world.

As Cuban entrepreneurs, we have experienced a great deal of change over the last several years. Changes by our government allow for increased private sector activity and we’ve seen significant growth in small businesses in our country. Over a half of million people now work in the private sector, earning considerably more money than state jobs and offering more autonomy in business decisions. We’re hopeful that our government will make additional changes to the legal framework and market conditions in the future.

Reforms made by the U.S. government to allow for increased travel, telecom services and banking have helped substantially as we attempt to grow our businesses. An influx of American and Cuban American visitors stimulates growth for our businesses, directly and indirectly. Better internet and long-distance calling improves marketing, product sourcing and interaction with customers. Improved banking relations to facilitate payments by U.S. companies and U.S. travelers is key to long-term growth. Increased interaction and business dealings with U.S. travelers and U.S. companies has had important economic benefits, the exchanges of ideas and knowledge, and offered much hope for the future.

As a successful businessman, we’re confident that you understand the importance of economic engagement between nations. Small businesses in Cuba have the potential to be drivers of economic growth in Cuba and important partners of the U.S. business community. Additional measures to increase travel, trade and investment, including working with the U.S. Congress to lift the embargo, will benefit our companies, the Cuban people and U.S. national interests. We look forward to taking advantage of any openings that your administration makes to the Cuban private sector and the Cuban economy as a whole.

Sincerely,

White House Pushing Cuba on Deals for GE, Google (WSJ)

White House Pushing Cuba on Deals for GE, Google

Three cruise lines also expected to announce new service to Cuba

By 

Carol E. Lee and 

Felicia Schwartz

Dec. 1, 2016 

The White House is putting pressure on Cuba to firm up deals with General Electric and Google before the start of the Donald Trump administration. WSJ's Felicia Schwartz explains on Lunch Break with Tanya Rivero. Photo: Reuters

WASHINGTON— General Electric Co. and Alphabet Inc.'s Google unit are among firms U.S. officials believe will secure agreements to operate in Cuba as the Obama administration presses Havana to complete pending deals before Donald Trump takes office, according to people familiar with the discussions.

In addition, three American cruise lines are expected to announce deals to start service to Cuba, including Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Pearl Seas Cruises.

The new business agreements are expected to be announced over the next few weeks, those familiar with the discussions said.

For the White House, which ramped up an effort before the election to prod Havana, the deals are aimed at cementing President Barack Obama's policy of advancing U.S.-Cuba relations.

White House officials are unsure how Mr. Trump, the president-elect, will approach Mr. Obama's Cuba policy. He has said he would reverse the effort to build relations, and this week wrote on Twitter that "if Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate the deal."

While there is no formal deal between the U.S. and Cuba that can be undone, there has been a broad effort to expand economic, trade and cultural ties between the two countries since Mr. Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro announced in December 2014 that they would re-establish diplomatic relations.

Asked about the possible agreement, a GE spokesman said: "We continue to talk to Cuba and we're in the middle of negotiations."

A Norwegian Cruise Line spokeswoman, Vanessa Picariello, said the firm is "in continued talks with appropriate authorities in Cuba on behalf of all three of its brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises."

She added: "We remain optimistic that we will receive approval for one or more of our brands and be able to offer our guests Caribbean cruises including Cuba in the near future."

Cynthia Martinez, a spokeswoman for Royal Caribbean., said, "We've expressed our belief that the market holds promise for the cruise industry, and remain interested in exploring its potential."

Charles B. Robertson, Pearl Seas Cruises' director of marketing, said: "We are very excited and optimistic about the prospect of going to Cuba and we have a number of trips planned in 2017 that we hope to be able to run."

Officials from Google didn't respond to requests for comment.

A number of companies have been granted licenses by the Obama administration to do business in Cuba, but are awaiting approval by Havana. The move at the White House to accelerate the process for U.S. companies holding U.S. licenses became a renewed focus late this summer.

Officials reviewed deals pending before the Cuban government and brought in a U.S. government official, Angela Mariana Freyre, formerly senior vice president and general counsel of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, to focus solely on this issue.

Ms. Freyre was dispatched to Havana shortly after the presidential election to meet with officials about the White House's desire for deals awaiting Cuban government action to move forward.

Google and General Electric made limited forays into Cuba this year. Google in March opened a technology center in the Havana studio of one of Cuba's most famous artists. Cubans at the site can access the internet at speeds 70 times faster than those available to the Cuban public. Google has been trying to offer other services to try to improve internet access on the island.

GE in March signaled its intent to provide power, aviation and medical equipment to the Cuban government by signing a series of memorandums of understanding with the Cuban government. 

Another American firm, Caterpillar, signed a distribution deal in February with Puerto Rican-based Rimco to begin selling its products in Cuba, once trade restrictions are eased.

The move to normalize relations has prompted a flurry of deals. Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc., now owned by Marriott International Inc.,signed a deal to run three hotels in Cubaearlier this year. The properties are still government owned but will be run by Starwood. The company began operating a Four Points Sheraton in Havana in June, with the others to follow. 

Meanwhile, American carriers Verizon Wireless, AT&T Inc., Sprint Corp. and T-Mobile US Inc. have all reached deals to offer service in Cuba.

U.S. airlines resumed commercial flights to Cuba earlier this year. This week, eight airlines, including American Airlines Inc. and JetBlue Airways, began commercial service to Havana. By the end of 2016, U.S. airlines are expected to conduct more than 500 round-trip flights to Cuba, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Ben Rhodes, Mr. Obama's adviser who led the effort to re-establish relations with Cuba, traveled to Havana this week. Tom Donohue, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, also was supposed to travel to Havana this week but canceled the trip following the death of Fidel Castro on Friday.

Write to Carol E. Lee at carol.lee@wsj.com and Felicia Schwartz at Felicia.Schwartz@wsj.com

Trump v. Obama v. Trudeau

Trump v. Obama v. Trudeau: Three very different statements on Fidel Castro's passing 

President Elect Donald Trump on Fidel Castro's Death

"Today, the world marks the passing of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades. Fidel Castro's legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights.

"While Cuba remains a totalitarian island, it is my hope that today marks a move away from the horrors endured for too long, and toward a future in which the wonderful Cuban people finally live in the freedom they so richly deserve.

"Though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by Fidel Castro cannot be erased, our administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty. I join the many Cuban Americans who supported me so greatly in the presidential campaign, including the Brigade 2506 Veterans Association that endorsed me, with the hope of one day soon seeing a free Cuba."

Statement by President Obama on the Passing of Fidel Castro

"At this time of Fidel Castro's passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans - in Cuba and in the United States - with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation. History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him. 

"For nearly six decades, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbors and friends - bonds of family, culture, commerce, and common humanity. This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba.

"Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro's family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America."

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau on the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro

"It is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of Cuba's longest serving President.

"Fidel Castro was a larger than life leader who served his people for almost half a century. A legendary revolutionary and orator, Mr. Castro made significant improvements to the education and healthcare of his island nation.

"While a controversial figure, both Mr. Castro's supporters and detractors recognized his tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people who had a deep and lasting affection for "el Comandante".

"I know my father was very proud to call him a friend and I had the opportunity to meet Fidel when my father passed away. It was also a real honour to meet his three sons and his brother President Raúl Castro during my recent visit to Cuba.

"On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and many, many supporters of Mr. Castro. We join the people of Cuba today in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader."

Statement by President Barack Obama on the Passing of Fidel Castro

At this time of Fidel Castro's passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans - in Cuba and in the United States - with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation. History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him. 

For nearly six decades, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbors and friends - bonds of family, culture, commerce, and common humanity. This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba.

Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro's family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America.

My take on the legacy of Fidel Castro, 1926-2016

Fidel Castro (1926-2016)

Born on August 13, 1926, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz has become a political and historical figure of truly mythic proportions not only for Cubans but also across the developing world as an inspiration for the anti-capitalist struggles of the 20th century. Unlike other Latin American dictators, Castro’s iron hand has often been covered by a velvet glove permitting him to rule more often through his extraordinary rhetoric and spellbinding charisma than with brute force and coercion (though he has not hesitated to resort to these when he felt necessary). He has also benefited from the powerful, if often frustrated nationalism of the Cuban people; the U.S. threat to Cuban sovereignty; and the enactment of an ambitious successful program of social justice in Cuba since 1959.

Originally from the town of Birán in the eastern province of Oriente, Castro came of age as the son of the self-made sugar planter and Spanish immigrant Angel Castro. As a young man, Castro studied in private Jesuit schools and excelled both in the classroom and at a wide array of sports, exhibiting a work ethic, fierce competitive streak, and almost egomaniacal confidence that would serve him well in the years to come.

After entering the University of Havana to study law, he became involved in the often violent student-led political activities of the time. Unable to run for congressional office in the cancelled elections of 1952 because of Batista’s coup, Castro organized an unsuccessful raid on the Moncada barracks on July 26, 1953, after which he delivered his historic “History Will Absolve Me” defense speech at trial. Amnestied from prison in 1955, he regrouped with his guerrilla forces abroad in Mexico. He clandestinely invaded Cuba at the end of 1956, and two years later, marched triumphantly into Havana.

Initially taking on the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in January, 1959, Castro soon became Prime Minister and First Secretary of the Communist Party. He was named President in 1976 with the passage of Cuba’s new Constitution. Until a life-threatening intestinal illness forced him to step down in July 2006, Castro was served as President of the Councils of State and of the Council of Ministers.

While his rule has been characterized by the evisceration of Cuban civil society, the trampling of civil liberties and political freedoms of Cuban citizens, and woeful economic incompetence, Castro has also distinguished himself as a consummate political operator on the world stage, offering aid and inspiration to leftist regimes and emergent Third World nations across the world, many of whose citizens see him as a champion of social justice, a fearless defender of national sovereignty, and a fiery symbol of defiance in the face of U.S. domination.

Muere Fidel Castro (palabras de Raúl)

Palabras de Raúl Castro. 

De @14ymedio

Mensaje leído por Raúl Castro frente a la televisión nacional 

Querido pueblo de Cuba: 

Con profundo dolor comparezco para informar a nuestro pueblo, a los amigos de Nuestra América y del mundo que hoy 25 de noviembre del 2016 a las 10:29 horas de la noche falleció el comandante en jefe de la Revolución Cubana Fidel Castro Ruz. Cumpliendo la voluntad expresa del compañero Fidel sus restos serán cremados. En las primeras horas de mañana sábado 26 la comisión organizadora de los funerales brindará a nuestro pueblo una información detallada sobre la organización del homenaje póstumo que se le tributará al fundador de la revolución cubana. Hasta la victoria siempre"

Donald Trump has a choice to make on Cuba

One example of freer markets in Cuba is the Paladar La Cocina de Lilliam (Lilliam's Kitchen), a home-based restaurant garden where President Jimmy Carter ate on his first visit to Cuba in 2002.

Originally published at CNBC.com ahead of the documentary, "The Profit in Cuba."

While Americans have been reeling over the shocking outcome of our presidential election, Cubans are experiencing perhaps even greater vertigo as a result of the surprise victory of Donald Trump.

As the saying goes, "When the U.S. sneezes, the rest of the world gets a cold." Or perhaps the old Mexican adage is more appropriate to the situation Cubans find themselves in: "Poor Mexico! So far from God, but so close to the United States!"

See me discuss the CNBC documentary, "The Profit in Cuba" with host Marcus Lemonis at the CNBC studios here.

Cubans went from a largely acrimonious relationship with the U.S. prior to December 2014, to one of unprecedented "hope and change" during the past 22 months under bilateral efforts to achieve diplomatic normalization between the erstwhile adversaries, to one of great trepidation and uncertainty over the past week given the president-elect's campaign promise to "cancel Obama's one-sided Cuban deal." President Raúl Castro perfectly captured the moment's ambivalence for Cuba by quickly sending the president-elect a brief note of congratulations while simultaneously ordering a five-day military mobilization.

In my more than half-dozen trips to the island over the past year, I have noted a palpable, ebullient expectation among Cubans for a better, more prosperous future under Obama's "new rules" of engagement. This was especially pronounced among Cuba's emergent entrepreneurial class, which includes old school cabbies in their even older school American cars, hip app designers in Cuba's surprising tech start-up scene, and some of the many restaurateurs behind the island's surging circle of "paladares" (private, home-based restaurants) which now number more than 1,800. This hard-won hope was also born of Cuba's own "new rules" introduced in late 2010 under President Raúl Castro aimed at expanding the island's long-suppressed private sector. However, I also found that most entrepreneurs were under no illusions that the Cuban government would be fully lifting its own counter-productive "auto-bloqueo" or internal embargo against grass-roots entrepreneurial innovation and inventiveness any time soon.

This sense of rising hope inside Cuba reached its climax in Obama's brilliant deployment of soft power during his historic state visit to the island in March 2016. Many Cubans identified with this youthful, optimistic, and eloquent African-American family man endowed with both a sense of history and of humor much more than with their own waxworks of old white ideologues. However, Cuba's old guard realized that Obama's charm offensive had begun to fatally undermine their own authority and undercut their long-effective use of the U.S. boogeyman as a scapegoat for their own economic failures and as a justification for their continued political authoritarianism.

In response, the Cuban leadership has spent the past eight months constantly reminding Cuban citizens of the continued U.S. existential threat to Cuban sovereignty under the Revolution and simultaneously dashing their hopes for a better, more open and prosperous future by stepping up detentions of peaceful political opponents and independent journalists and slowing economic reforms to a manageable trickle.

The clearest example of the Cuban government's efforts to lower expectations has come on the economic front. First, April's Seventh Party Congress included no new resolutions about deepening or expanding much needed market-oriented reforms apart from a vague reference to studying the possibility of granting status as legal businesses to a portion of the half-a-million strong micro-enterprise sector. Nothing has come of this idea in the intervening seven months. Second, price controls have been reimposed in the private agriculture and transportation sectors, reducing incentives for greater production.

Third, this past summer saw the government scale back economic growth estimates for 2016 to under 1 percent and impose severe energy saving and cost-cutting measures across the state sector due to a liquidity crisis and the Venezuelan debacle. Finally, the issuing of new licenses for Havana's surging private, home-based restaurant sector were suspended for six weeks in the fall in order to root out legal violations such as providing bar services and live entertainment without permission, obtaining supplies from black-market sources, staying open past the state-imposed 3 a.m. closing time, and tax evasion. Some have even been accused of doubling as sites of prostitution and drug trafficking and shut down.

However, the government has so far not delivered on its promise to provide affordable access to wholesale markets for these restaurateurs nor has it allowed them to legally import supplies from abroad or expand beyond the arbitrary limit of 50 place settings. Moreover, the tax system for the private sector provokes "creative bookkeeping" by imposing a rigid 40-percent deduction limit for business often burdened by much higher supply costs due to Cuba's environment of chronic scarcity. It also imposes a labor tax on any more than five employees disincentivizing legal hiring.

To add insult to this injury, the moribund network of their state-run competitor restaurants do enjoy access to wholesale markets and suffer no seating or size restrictions or employment taxes. Especially frustrating for Cuban entrepreneurs is the fact that this emphasis on law and order comes in the context of shrinking output in the state enterprise sector, a looming emigration crisis with record numbers of new Cuban arrivals in the U.S., and in the midst of a tourism boom that the state hospitality sector has proven unable to absorb.

As Cubans like to say: "¡No es fácil!" (It ain't easy!) 

President-elect Donald Trump could follow the recommendation of some Congressional Republicans by adding his own isolationist wind to the already full sails of the Cuban government's rigid control that attempts to keep Cuban entrepreneurs in their frustrated and impoverished places. Or he could send Cuba's business pioneers a message of support and solidarity as they attempt to build a more prosperous future by continuing America's historic opening to Cuba that aims to empower the island's emergent capitalists through engagement, investment, and trade.

For someone who campaigned as a anti-politician who would bring a hard-nosed business sense to Washington, Cuba presents Trump with a golden opportunity to place economic pragmatism and the tangible benefits it would bring to citizens of both countries over the out-dated and counterproductive Cold War ideology that undergirds the embargo.

The Profit in Cuba: Marcus Lemonis hits Havana to profile #Cuba's new breed of entrepreneurs - Tues., Nov. 15th at 10 p.m.

CNBC is airing a documentary called “The Profit in Cuba” on Tuesday November 15^th at 10pm ET/PT.

At a time of historic change on the island, CNBC follows The Profit’s Marcus Lemonis as he travels to the island and profiles a new breed of business owners determined to succeed under one of the most oppressive regimes in the world.

I was honored to work as an unpaid consultant on the show and appear in it as I give Marcus the blow-by-blow of the slings, arrows, and new opportunities of opening and running a private business in today's Cuba as we stroll down Obispo Street in Old Havana.

After years of Communist rule and the opening of relations with the U.S., Cuba is taking historic steps to revive its troubled economy. For the first time in decades, Cuban citizens can strike out on their own, open a small business, and begin to shape their future. In shops, factories, farms, and homes, Marcus meets them to learn about their opportunities and challenges firsthand – to see what’s working, and help fix what isn’t.

The tenacity of these small business owners is impressive – but obstacles they face, including a longstanding U.S. trade embargo and what Cuban's bitterly refer to as the "auto-bloqueo" or internal embargo, are staggering. 

Despite these problems, some half a million Cuban citizens are benefitting from the new laws, and in a nation where the average income is less than $30 a month, many have already improved their way of life.

In this fascinating one-hour documentary, Marcus Lemonis profiles these strivers and takes viewers along to see the groundbreaking changes taking place inside Cuba.

Below are a few clips from the documentary:

·         The Profit in Cuba: First Look

·         The Profit in Cuba: Small Business Revolution

·         A Startup on Wheels

·         Endless Obstacles in Cuba

Tune-in Details: “The Profit in Cuba” premieres Tuesday, November 15^th at 10pm ET/PT on CNBC. You can also join the conversation on Twitter with #TheProfitCuba, and@TheProfitCNBC or on Facebook at facebook.com/TheProfitCNBC. Log onto cnbcprime.com/the-profit-in-cuba/ for more details.