The United States is halting all private charter flights to Cuba. The reason is to prevent the government in Havana from receiving revenue from the flights, says US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The decision reinforces an already previously imposed ban on chartered flights to Cuba, except to the capital Havana.

Pompeo says the measure is due, among other things, to the communist regime's continued human rights violations, such as the imprisonment of journalists and pro-democracy activists.

Some exceptions will be made, including medical flights and "other flights that benefit US interests," according to Pompeo.

The Trump administration has made a complete U-turn from former President Barack Obama's decision to improve relations with Cuba.

The United States imposed extensive sanctions against Cuba in 1962.

Source: TT