US administration publishes new Cuba travel restrictions Published duration 8 November 2017

image copyright AFP image caption The administration says it is aiming to steer Americans towards Cuba's fledgling private sector

The US administration has published a series of measures increasing limits on Americans' dealings with Cuba.

The package includes a blacklist of state-owned companies and entities, including shops and hotels.

Most US citizens travelling to the island will now have to go as part of organised tour groups.

The measures come as part of a partial rollback of ex-president Barack Obama's policy of engagement with Cuba, as announced by President Trump in June.

Officials have denied that any of these steps are related to the recent acoustic incidents , defined as "health attacks" by the state department against its officials in Havana.

Nevertheless, says BBC Cuba correspondent Will Grant, the bilateral relationship has now slumped to its lowest point since the George W Bush presidency.

"We have strengthened our Cuba policies to channel economic activity away from the Cuban military and to encourage the government to move toward greater political and economic freedom for the Cuban people," he said in a statement.

image copyright AFP image caption The Kempinski hotel is one of 83 on the US blacklist

According to the statement, the aim is to maintain "opportunities for Americans to engage in authorised travel to Cuba and support the private, small business sector in Cuba".

Among them are:

the interior and armed forces ministries

83 hotels

two travel agencies, and five holding companies involved with the organised tourism sector

10 Havana boutiques

two rum distilleries

Restrictions have also been placed on people-to-people exchanges, a travel category under which Americans can stay with families on the island.