Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Yup, barking up the wrong tree.
Other countries have this descretion also, and not just with Cuba.
For example, I personally know of two flights that were told, in no uncertain terms....'Do not land here again, even if you are on fire.'
USA?
Nope.
Saudi Arabia.
IE: Whomever has the big stick, calls the tune.
True yesterday, today....and tomorrow.
Yep, I've lived in Cuba, worked there, and also lived and worked in the USA. In commercial aviation.Qualified.
About summes it up, I would think.
IE: Don't believe everything you read in the left leaning western press about Cuba.
Think....dial the clock back sixty years.