From Reuters:
President Barack Obama issued an executive order on Friday loosening more restrictions on U.S. travel and money remittances to Cuba, a further step in his efforts to reach out to the people of the communist-ruled country.
The latest measures, which stop short of lifting a ban on tourist travel to the island by Americans, are aimed at developing “people-to-people” contacts by allowing more travel for college professors and students, artists and church groups.
The regulatory changes also allow all U.S. international airports to apply to service licensed charter flights to Cuba.
In addition, they allow “any U.S. person to send remittances (up to $500 a quarter) to non-family members in Cuba to support private economic activity,” but with the limitation they cannot go to senior Cuban government officials or senior members of the Cuban Communist Party.
“These measures will increase people-to-people contact; support civil society in Cuba; enhance the free flow of information to, from, and among the Cuban people; and help promote their independence from Cuban authorities,” the White House said in a statement.
“The president believes these actions, combined with the continuation of the embargo, are important steps in reaching the widely shared goal of a Cuba that respects the basic rights of all its citizens.”
In Havana, Cuban government officials were not immediately available for reaction.
Read the whole thing here. Cuban officials weren’t available for reaction, but this development is among their bigger fears. I mean, the embargo and travel ban have worked so well for us…
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