Donald Trump: 'I will reverse the deal with Cuba'

(Baonghean.vn) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on September 16 (US time) that he would reverse the historic agreement that President Barack Obama reached with Cuba, unless Cuba met his demands to restore political freedoms as well as release political prisoners.

Billionaire Donald Trump said he would reverse the deal with Cuba that President Barack Obama worked hard to reach. Photo: Flickr.

Candidate Donald Trump's latest statement shows a clear change from his previous stance that he supports the US reopening diplomatic relations after more than 50 years with Cuba.

Billionaire Trump said that President Obama's deal was "one-sided" and "only benefited the Castro regime."

“However, all of the concessions that Obama made to the Castro regime were made by executive order, which means the next president can reverse them. And that is what I will do, unless Cuba meets our demands,” Trump said on September 16.

“The demands will include religious and political freedom for the Cuban people and the release of political prisoners,” Mr. Trump said.

Cuba released 53 political prisoners in January 2015 as part of efforts to reach an agreement to restore diplomatic relations with the United States. The two countries officially restored full diplomatic relations in July 2015, more than 50 years after they severed ties.

The US embargo on Cuba is still in effect, however, President Obama has loosened a series of regulations allowing many US companies to sell products in Cuba. President Obama has also demonstrated that reestablishing relations with Cuba will help the country create a freer society by opening up to the world.

As for billionaire Trump, in September 2015 when asked about the agreement between the US and Cuba, he said: "I think this is a good deal."

“It's a good deal, but we need a better and stronger deal,” he added, telling The Daily Caller.

Mr. Trump also said in March that he would consider opening a hotel in Cuba.

“It may not be possible right away, but I think Cuba has certain potential. And I think this is a good way to help Cuba start to find its benefits,” Trump told CNN.

Khang Duy

(According to CNN)