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mkdutch

Oct 10, 2003, 11:30 AM

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Cuba tourism

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This morning President Bush announced that increased economic and political pressure will be placed on Cuba in order to hasten the day the island country returns to democracy.

One of the "changes" that will take place is to strictly enforce the existing policy of forbidding pleasure travel by USA citizens to Cuba...whether directly from the USA, OR via a third country. Here's why: when a person visits Cuba and pays their hotel bill, for example, the money does not go directly to the hotel and its staff. It goes to the Castro government, who then pay the hotel staff low wages in Pesos, not the dollars or other hard currency paid by the tourist. That currency is used to support the Castro regime.

How they will track 3rd country travel was not spelled out, but I doubt the President would have specifically mentioned it if a process has not already been devised.

So just a word to the wise; if you know of any American citizen who is planning such a visit, or know a travel agent, you may want to call their attention to this enforcement change...the Feds will undoubtedly be looking for early examples to show they mean business this time............Dutch

Guapo Gabacho

Oct 10, 2003, 2:11 PM

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Re: [mkdutch] Cuba tourism

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Oh no! Where is Billy Joel going to work on his tan?

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We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.

jrice

Oct 28, 2003, 5:46 PM

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Re: [mkdutch] Cuba tourism

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Good point. It would definitely be useful, at least, to ensure that you use a travel or charter agency that is licensed by the U.S. Treasury to provide travel to Cuba that is officially encouraged or permitted by U.S. law. Despite the new policies, there are still some sorts of travel permitted. And the Bush changes this year actually are likely to increase the money to Castro by easing some elements of Cuban-American travel to Cuba, which accounts for two-thirds of U.S. travel and a far arger share of the funds that go to his government. Second cousins are now considered "close relatives" who can visit once a year legally and -- correct me if I'm wrong -- but restrictions on couriers have been somewhat eased.

The Treasury web site lists those companies (see the OFAC section.

On the other hand, it might pay to be wary of the fact that both houses of Congress have voted to scrap enforcement of the travel ban. It does not legally remove the ban, merely enforcment of it for one yar. And the statute of limitations is five years. The counter argument is that it indicates a strong congressional majority is fed up with the travel ban and it may not be reimposed.

Bush may make it the first veto of his administration in any event.

mkdutch

Oct 29, 2003, 7:46 AM

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Re: [jrice] Cuba tourism

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You're right - the congressional action came after I wrote the initial post, above. I doubt Pres. Bush will take them on with a veto...with an election coming up, I just can't see him wanting to take anyone on over this issue. He's got many bigger fish to fry....Dutch

jrice

Oct 29, 2003, 5:28 PM

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Re: [mkdutch] Cuba tourism

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The reports from Congress on Wednesday were that the leadership planned to quietly drop the Cuba language from the bill in the House-Senate conference on the appropriations bill in order to avoid causing a problem for Bush.

It's a little sticky in all directions for everybody.