Obama eases restrictions on Cuba , lifts limits on rum and cigars . 
Since the opening , Obama has repeatedly used his executive powers to relax trade and travel restrictions , while pushing Cuba to accelerate market-style reforms and boost political and economic freedom . 
Cuba welcomed the steps , part of President Barack Obama 's effort to make his historic opening to Cuba "irreversible" by the time he leaves office in January , but said they did not go far enough . 
"This new directive consolidates and builds upon the changes we 've already made ," Obama said . 
"Today , I approved a Presidential Policy Directive that takes another major step forward in our efforts to normalize relations with Cuba ," Obama said in a statement . 
Less than a month before the Nov. 8 presidential election , Obama said his goal was to "make our opening to Cuba irreversible ." 
The latest package , the administration 's sixth , is likely to be the "last significant tranche of changes" during Obama 's tenure , said a senior official , who asked not to be named . 
The latest measures are part of an executive order on Cuba through which Obama seeks to sidestep the Republican-controlled Congress , which has resisted his call to lift Washington 's economic embargo after more than 50 years . 
Republican Donald Trump has vowed to roll back Obama 's executive actions . 
Republican critics say Obama is making too many concessions to Cuba for too little in return , especially on human rights issues . 
Vidal criticized Obama 's directive for making it clear the U.S. aimed to "promote change in Cuba 's economic , political and social system" , failing to respect its sovereignty . 
"After two years of President Obama 's Cuba policy , the Castro regime has made out like bandits ," said U.S. Senator Marco Rubio , a Cuban-American lawmaker from Florida . 
In March , Obama made the first visit to Havana by a U.S. president in 88 years .
Since the opening , [TGT] has repeatedly used [TGT] executive powers to relax trade and travel restrictions , while pushing Cuba to accelerate market-style reforms and boost political and economic freedom . 
Cuba welcomed the steps , part of [TGT] 's effort to make [TGT] historic opening to Cuba "irreversible" by the time [TGT] leaves office in January , but said they did not go far enough . 
"This new directive consolidates and builds upon the changes we 've already made ," [TGT] said . 
"Today , I approved a Presidential Policy Directive that takes another major step forward in our efforts to normalize relations with Cuba ,[TGT] said in a statement . 
Less than a month before the Nov. 8 presidential election , [TGT] said [TGT] goal was to "make our opening to Cuba irreversible ." 
The latest package , the administration 's sixth , is likely to be the "last significant tranche of changes" during [TGT] 's tenure , said a senior official , who asked not to be named . 
The latest measures are part of an executive order on Cuba through which [TGT] seeks to sidestep the Republican-controlled Congress , which has resisted his call to lift Washington 's economic embargo after more than 50 years . 
Republican Donald Trump has vowed to roll back [TGT] 's executive actions . 
Republican critics say [TGT] is making too many concessions to Cuba for too little in return , especially on human rights issues . 
Vidal criticized [TGT] 's directive for making it clear the U.S. aimed to "promote change in Cuba 's economic , political and social system" , failing to respect its sovereignty . 
"After two years of [TGT] 's Cuba policy , the Castro regime has made out like bandits ," said U.S. Senator Marco Rubio , a Cuban-American lawmaker from Florida . 
In March , [TGT] made the first visit to Havana by a U.S. president in 88 years .