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US may lift curbs on visits, remittances to Cuba
US President Barack Obama likely to fulfil a campaign promise and abolish limits on family travel and transfer of money.
- Reuters
- Published: 22:46 April 4, 2009
Washington: In a move that could herald better ties between Cold War foes, the Obama administration is planning to abolish limits on family travel and cash remittances between the United States and Cuba, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
President Barack Obama has decided to fulfil a campaign promise and allow Cuban-Americans and Cuban emigres to freely visit and send money to their families in the communist-led nation, the newspaper said, citing a senior administration official.
A White House official confirmed the administration's intentions to lift the restrictions, but said the measure was not a new policy statement and was not imminent.
"The administration has conveyed that our policy toward Cuba is being reviewed and the president has stated that there's a sense that restrictions on family visits and cash remittances should be lifted," the official said.
"Our focus remains on the need for democratic reforms and human rights" in Cuba, the official said.
The removal of limits on family travel and cash remittances would allow Cubans living in the United States to travel freely to the island, instead of once a year as at present.
It would also remove the ceiling of $1,200 (Dh4,407) per person in cash remittances to needy family members in Cuba.
"This is a good humanitarian move that honours Cuban Americans' right to visit and aid their relatives as they see fit," said Cuba expert Phil Peters.
"But it creates one class of Americans who can travel to Cuba at will, so it will add to the momentum in Congress to lift restrictions on all other Americans, who have a right to travel too," he said.
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