Cuba and US sign new agreements before Trump takes office

[G.O.G]

The government of outgoing US President Barack Obama and Cuba rushed to sign new deals this week with only two days remaining for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.

Republican Trump, who will take office on Friday, has spoken in a hostile and aggressive tone about the melting between the two countries and has threatened to end relations unless Havana makes more concessions, according to the information reviewed by The EFE agency.

Washington and Havana on Wednesday signed a pact to collaborate on air and sea rescue in the dangerous Florida Straits, while, along with Mexico, they are ready for a legal pact on the territorial limits in the Gulf of Mexico, according to diplomatic sources .

"Improving and coordinating the issue of salvage is essential for our countries when authorized trade and the flow of travelers are on the rise," said Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Cuba, after signing the document .

A third pact on animal health and plant health protocols was postponed on Wednesday. It would be the last of the 22 documents signed in 18 months.

The Obama administration and Raúl Castro have concluded five negotiations since the November presidential election in the United States, which includes cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the agreement that ends last Thursday to preferential immigration treatment for Cubans Who arrive in the United States without a visa.

"Although the number, variety of issues and depth of agreements and memoranda executed by the Obama administration are significant, it is important to recognize that none is binding; Are not treated (...), "said John Kavulich, president of the Cuba-US Economic and Trade Council.

Trump's transition group includes five Cuban-Americans who oppose the thaw and maintain close ties with lawmakers seeking to isolate Cuba.

The decrees implemented by Obama to ease the trade embargo of more than half a century could be dismissed by Trump once installed in the White House. The embargo can only be lifted by the US Congress, which is controlled by the Republicans.