Cuba's Port Attracts over 3.3 Million Dollars in Past Decade despite US Embargo

"Currently, there are 64 businesses here, 44 of them under operation," Ana Teresa Igarza told a press conference, adding that the U.S. economic sanctions against the Caribbean nation deter foreign companies from investing in the island.

Located some 45 km west of the Cuban capital Havana, the special development zone was opened in 2014.

At present, ZEDM houses companies from 21 countries, largely from Spain, Vietnam, Germany, France, Netherlands, Russia, and Brazil.

Martin Jose Spini, general manager of the container terminal at ZEDM, said that the US embargo on Cuba restricts the arrival of vessels to the port.

"The US embargo bans any vessel that enters a port in Cuba to engage in trade in goods here from entering any US port for 180 days after leaving the island," he said.

First imposed in 1962, the US embargo was tightened during the administration of former US President Donald Trump, which issued more than 240 measures against the island.

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