Obama Opens Door to Expanded US Travel to Cuba Preston Brady III - Mobile Tribune | |
go to original December 17, 2014 |
On December 17, 2014, President Obama delivered remarks on next steps he’s taking to chart a new course on U.S.-Cuba relations. (The White House)
Just when you think this President can’t get any more significant and historic, he comes out the gate again with another first in our lifetime, another triumphant moment for the American people and world peace.
Not only did he orchestrate a prisoner swap with Cuba this week, resulting in the release of American businessman Alan Gross, he is instructing Secretary of State John Kerry to begin work immediately on smoothing diplomatic relations with the small Communist nation, and – this is important – allowing Americans to do as Americans were born to do, to travel where they wish, including this little tropical country only 80 miles off the Florida coast.
Americans have been prohibited from regular travel to Cuba – it’s against American law to spend money there, except in rare, approved business or humanitarian visits. Many Americans have circumvented the decades long ban by traveling to Cuba from Mexico. Some of them even bring back Cuban cigars.
...Who knows, I might even stay there.
Read the rest at Mobile Tribune
According to Reuters, here are the key changes:
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
• The U.S. will open an embassy in Havana.
• During the next six months, Secretary of State John Kerry will review Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
• U.S. officials will hold high-level talks with Cuban counterparts on issues like migration, narcotics, environmental protections, human trafficking.
• U.S. officials will discuss maritime boundaries with Cuba and Mexico in the Gulf of Mexico.
EXPANDED TRAVEL
• More Americans will be allowed to travel to Cuba.
• The overall travel ban can only be lifted by Congress, so tourism will not be allowed.
• Travel licenses will be available for family visits, journalists, professional research and professional meetings, educational activities, religious activities, performances and athletic competitions, humanitarian projects, and certain export activities.
TRADE
• Trade will be authorized with Cuban private companies in building materials for private homes, goods for entrepreneurs, farm equipment for small farmers.
• Licensed travelers can bring back $400 in Cuban goods, including up to $100 in tobacco and alcohol for personal use.
• The overall trade ban can only be lifted by Congress.
BANKING
• U.S. banks can open correspondent accounts at Cuban banks to help process authorized trade and remittances.
• Rules defining "cash in advance" will be revised to mean "cash before transfer of title" to help finance trade with Cuba.
• Travelers can use U.S. credit and debit cards.
• U.S.-owned entities in other countries will be allowed to provide services to Cuban people who are outside of Cuba.
• U.S. bank accounts of Cuban nationals who have moved outside of Cuba will be unblocked.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
• Export of telecom devices and services will be authorized.
• Telecom providers will be allowed to provide commercial telecom and internet services.
REMITTANCES
• U.S. citizens can sent up to $2,000 per quarter to Cuban nationals and humanitarian projects, up from $500. Licenses will no longer be required.
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