Administration officials said this week that they might stop family remittances, which amount to as much as $1 billion a year, and end direct charter flights.

The economy of Samoa is dependent on agricultural exports, development aid and private family remittances from overseas.

Pressure for self-government began after WWII, but as the island's economy was dependent upon NZ aid and family remittances the Niueans were in no rush to go it alone.

The 1992 act prohibited foreign-based subsidiaries of U.S. companies from trading with Cuba, travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens, and family remittances to Cuba.

Banki received a series of family remittances in the US from his family in Iran, using the Hawala method.

On October 24, 2011, a federal appeals court threw out Banki's conviction for violating the Iran trade embargo, citing that the US law states that family remittances are exempt.

As in the previous year, the large trade deficit was offset by foreign aid and family remittances.

In modern times, development aid, private family remittances from overseas, and agricultural exports have become key factors in the nation's economy.

"If Ortega comes to power, that would provoke a closing of aid and investment, difficulties with exports, visas and family remittances," he said.

Authorized family travelers may carry up to $3000 of their own family remittances to Cuba.