Havana, August 21 (RHC) – Google Chrome is now downloadable in Cuba, the Web giant announced Wednesday, saying the Internet browser was available specifically to Cubans via google.com.cu.
"We're happy to say that Internet users in Cuba can now use Chrome," Google wrote in a Google+ post.
Specialized tech website CNET reports that while Cubans have been able to access Chrome through other means before now, they haven't been able to easily and directly download the browser to computers or mobile devices.
In a blog post, Google said the reason Cubans had to wait so long to get Chrome was because of the economic blockade imposed on the Caribbean country.
"U.S. export controls and sanctions can sometimes limit the products available in certain countries," Google wrote. "As these trade restrictions evolve we've been working to figure out how to make more tools available in sanctioned countries."
In June, a delegation of top Google executives, including Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, visited Cuba to assess the development of information technologies on the island, which currently has one of the lowest Internet penetration rates in the world.
Besides Cuba, Google also made Chrome downloadable in Syria and Iran over the past couple of years -- two other countries that have faced U.S. sanctions.
