White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks at a news briefing in Washington on January 28, 2021. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a news briefing that the US’s Cuba policy is governed by two principles. First, support for democracy and human rights - that will be at the core of our efforts. Second is Americans, especially Cuban Americans, are the best ambassadors for freedom in Cuba.

Cuban officials estimate strict sanctions imposed by the Trump administration cost the island nation about 20 billion USD. Cuba hopes the new US President Joe Biden's administration will quickly reverse the sanctions on Havana and resume a policy of improving relations.