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18 dic 2014

How America’s Relationship With Cuba Will Change



KEY Changes announced Wednesday Obama changed in 2009 Congressional action required
  • Diplomatic Relations
  • There have been no diplomatic relations with Cuba since the early 1960s, after Fidel Castro and his Communist government came to power.
  • Relations will be re-established, with an American embassy in Havana.
  • State-Sponsored Terror List
  • In 1982, Cuba was designated a state sponsor of terrorism.
  • Secretary of State John Kerry will review the designation.
  • Travel Restrictions
  • Citizens and permanent residents of the United States are not permitted to travel to Cuba, with some exceptions. General licenses, which require no special permission, are authorized for:
  • Persons visiting a “close relative” who is a Cuban national and "persons traveling with them who share a common dwelling as a family with them.”
  • Obama authorized this in 2009.
  • Government business.
  • Journalists regularly employed at a news organization.
  • Certain researchers and professionals.
  • Certain college faculty and students or others participating in educational activities.
  • Certain religious activities.
  • Telecommunications providers.
  • Obama authorized telecommunications providers to pursue licensing agreements in 2009.
  • Producers or distributors of agricultural or medical goods.
  • Other specific licenses to travel are granted on a case-by-case basis.
  • Obama will open up general licenses to travel for these reasons, which previously required approval on a case-by-case basis:
  • Public performances, workshops and athletic competitions.
  • Support for the Cuban people, including human rights work.
  • Humanitarian work.
  • Private foundations and institutes.
  • Information dissemination.
  • Travel related to export of authorized products.
  • Lifting all restrictions on travel, including for tourism, would require congressional action.
  • Banking and Trade Embargo
  • No transactions involving the property of a Cuban national (including purchasing Cuban cigars in third countries or signing a Cuba-related contract with a foreign firm).
  • United States institutions will be able to open accounts at Cuban financial institutions.
  • Travelers to Cuba will be allowed to use American credit and debit cards.
  • United States entities in third countries will be allowed to engage in transactions and meetings with Cuban individuals in third countries.
  • No imports or exports (with certain exceptions like humanitarian gifts).
  • Certain items that support the Cuban private sector will be allowed for export, including certain building materials and agricultural equipment.
  • Certain items that support telecommunications in Cuba will be allowed for export, and companies will be allowed to establish related infrastructure.
  • Licensed American travelers will be able to import $400 worth of goods (including up to $100 in tobacco and alcohol).
  • Congress would need to act to lift the embargo entirely.
  • Transfer of Money
  • Authorized travelers are now permitted to carry $3,000 in remittances to Cuba. There are no limits on remittances to religious organizations.
  • No limits on sending remittances to close relatives.
  • Obama authorized this in 2009.
  • Remittances of up to $500 per quarter may be made to any Cuban national for humanitarian needs.
  • That limit will be raised to $2,000 a quarter.
  • License requirements for people who provide remittance forwarding services (other than depository institutions).
  • Licenses will no longer be required.

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