Travel to Cuba Eased for Families
Monday, April 20th, 2009
President Obama has lifted the travel limits for those people visiting family in Cuba. The administration is looking for new ways to help promote freedom in the communist country. At the same time that travel limits were lifted, the restrictions on money being sent from Americans to their Cuban relatives also were eased. Not all lawmakers were behind the decision to life the travel restrictions to Cuba. Some experts were excited about the change. Travel restrictions and embargos have done very little to help the Cuban people. Many believe it is time to try a new approach to helping assist in change. Cuban officials also agree that the past policies against Cuban were affective.
Some government officials were touting the step as one that will make it easier for American farmers and ranchers to sell products to the Cuban market. The restrictions for trade and travel to Cuba were tightened during the Bush administration.
Critics of the changes by the Obama administration suggested that the changes would only strengthen the resolve of the government in Cuba and that it would cause more isolation, imprisonment and other brutalities to the Cuban people.
The more moves the administration takes toward normalizing trade and relations with Cuba then the sooner travel for people other than those with family members in Cuba will likely be possible. There is already pressure from the Latin American governments for the Obama administration to completely lift all trade embargos with Cuba. President Obama ran a campaign that promised to open up travel to Cuba for family members but the administration has said that there are currently no plans to lift trade embargos.
The Obama Administration is reviewing all the policies that deal with Cuba. Many travelers are hopeful that the President will soon open up opportunities for travel to Cuba for all American citizens.
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