Cuba Travel Restrictions Eased By Obama Administration

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents with their hearts set on Cuban travel will be able to do so with a little more ease thanks to a Tuesday announcement from the Obama administration.

Just days before President Barack Obama’s historic trip to Havana, the White House announced that Americans will now be able to travel to Cuba with fewer restrictions. Instead of having to go on costly group tours to the country, Americans will be able book their own itineraries as long as they fill out documents that attest their trips are for educational reasons instead of pure tourism. The new rules also make it easier for Cuban nationals to get jobs in the United States without having to defect.

U.S. banks will also now be able to process Cuban government transactions. In addition, the rule changes are hoped to expand access to the U.S. dollar from Cuba, according to a statement issued by White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest.

See Also:

• U.S., Cuba Restore Commercial Flights

“The goal of the President’s policy with Cuba is simple: to improve the lives of Cubans and to advance the interests of the United States,” Earnest said. “The President fundamentally believes that the best way to achieve that goal is by facilitating more interaction between the Cuban and American people, including through travel and commercial opportunities, and through more access to information.”

The rules changes come on the heels of last month’s announcement that the U.S. and Cuba would restore commercial flights. Under a new arrangement, up to 110 non-stop flights daily will be offered between the United States and Cuba by next fall.

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