Heritage Senior Fellow Mike Gonzalez released the following statement Friday in response to the Trump administration's announcement of its reversal of several Obama administration policies towards Cuba:

“President Trump's plan to fix the problems created by the Obama administration in Cuba is a much-needed first step toward true reform. The facts are undeniable: in return for President Obama's unilateral concessions, the Cuban dictatorship has stepped up the oppression of its people, drastically ramping up religious intimidation and political repression. By making it more difficult for the Castro family and the military to fund their reign of terror and intolerance, the Trump administration’s new policy better advances American national and regional security interests, while sending a clear message to the Castro family, the regime and its cronies: business as usual will no longer be tolerated by the United States government.”

For more of Gonzalez's analysis, click here.