Havana - The U.S. blockade against Cuba has undergone several amendments, which although positive are still insufficient.

President Barack Obama acknowledged the failure of the U.S. policy toward Cuba during his December 17th, 2014 address and pledged to engage in a debate with the Congress to lift the blockade.

According to a report by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which calls for the blockade to be lifted by 2016, the US Departments of Treasury and Commerce have carried out several amendments to the measure.

The document stresses that important obstacles still remain for the implementation of these changes while the laws and the implementation of the policy of blockade and the numerous restrictions arising from it, have continued in force.

Some changes have been: the restoration of regular flights between Cuba and the United States; maritime transportation of passengers under the 12 categories permitted by the law and the authorization of individual educational trips.

However, the ban on U.S. citizens traveling freely to Cuba, has not been lifted.

In the telecommunications sector: exports of goods and services to Cuba, the funding of infrastructure development and the possibility of establishing joint ventures with Cuban entities have also been authorized.

The document stresses that these measures have not been extended to other sectors of the Cuban economy, which still remain under tight restrictions.