Cuba says US sanctions are blocking its efforts to open the economy to private investment

Cuba claims that ongoing U.S. sanctions are obstructing its efforts to open up the economy to private investment, despite passing sweeping domestic reforms. Cuban officials argued that successive penalties and an oil blockade have exacerbated blackouts and shortages of medicine and food, causing some companies like Meliá to pull out. Experts added that they suggested the current US policy goal is not only economic opening but also overhauling the political system.