President Obama issued an executive order easing travel restrictions on travel by U.S. citizens to Cuba. The changes are similar to ones put in place during the Clinton administration. But those changes were rescinded under the administration of President George W. Bush. They make it easier for American students and religious and cultural groups to visit the island.
Although American tourists will still be unable to travel to Cuba for vacations, the new travel rules broaden the categories of persons authorized to travel to the Communist nation, which previously had been limited to Cuban Americans and a handful of other people. The changes will also allow U.S. citizens to send up to $2,000 a year to help Cubans support religious institutions or run small businesses.
The new regulations will also allow authorized religious institutions and universities to issue permits for their members to travel to Cuba, while other cultural and educational groups will be able to seek licenses for such trips. The measures also will allow more U.S. airports to operate charter flights to Cuba, and Americans will be permitted to send up to $500 per quarter to Cubans, excluding senior Communist officials. The new regulations do not require congressional approval.
The Washington Office in Latin America (WOLA) said the Obama’s administration’s new regulations are a positive step toward changing a failed policy. “This is the most significant relaxation of the travel ban in the last two decades” said Geoff Thale, program director at WOLA. WOLA said the changes significantly ease regulations on travel to Cuba for educational, religious and cultural exchanges. They also permit “people-to-people” travel, allowing licensed groups to travel to Cuba for interchange with the Cuban people. “This is a welcome step that comes at an opportune time,” said Thale.
WOLA said there are significant changes under way in Cuba, including Raul Castro’s plans to restructure the moribund Cuban economy by laying off half a million workers from state payrolls and expanding private sector employment -- not to mention the unprecedented release of over 50 political prisoners. “Easing travel restrictions is smart diplomacy on the part of the United States, it shows that the U.S. recognizes the positive changes taking place in Cuba and it will encourage continued reform on the island,” Thale said.
WOLA noted that the U.S. Congress debated Cuba travel policy through much of 2010, but didn’t act. Many analysts predicted that Obama administration was unlikely to take action on changes to Cuba policy given the new majority Republican Congress. “In issuing this executive order, the President is advancing his foreign policy agenda based on what is best for the United States,” said Thale.
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