After some 16 months of studying Trump’s severe tightening of the longstanding US economic blockade of Cuba that contributed to serious food & medicine shortages and a sharp increase in Cubans attempting to enter the US without a visa, these policy steps include increasing consular services and visa processing, and limited broadening of travel opportunities to Cuba. News and perspectives:
Biden reverses some Trump policies related to Cuba, making it easier for families to visit relatives in country
(CNN)The State Department on Monday announced a series of measures it said is aimed at supporting the Cuban people, including reinstating the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program and increasing consular services and visa processing.
“We will make it easier for families to visit their relatives in Cuba and for authorized US travelers to engage with the Cuban people, attend meetings and conduct research,” spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. — Read More —
ACERE Welcomes Biden Administration Announcement of Limited Policy Changes Towards Cuba
On May 16, 2022, the Biden administration announced new measures towards Cuba, taking an important step towards restoring the policies of engagement and reversing some Trump-era policies. ACERE welcomes the White House announcement, including the reinstatement of the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program that will provide for the reunification of many Cuban families, as well as the promised increase of services and visa processing at the U.S. Consulate in Havana. However, we are disappointed to learn that many visa applicants will continue to have to travel to Guyana for processing there. — Read More —
Cuba describes easing of US sanctions as “a limited step in the right direction”
US President Joe Biden has finally announced the easing of some of the 243 sanctions imposed on Cuba by former President Trump
On May 16, the government of US President Joe Biden announced the easing of some of the sanctions imposed on Cuba by former President Donald Trump. The measures include the elimination of the $1,000 limit on family remittances, speeding up the processing of US visas for Cuban citizens, resumption of regular and charter flights to Cuban provinces, and adjustments to the regulations governing transactions with the non-state sector.
The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) described the US government’s announcement as “a limited step in the right direction.” — Read More —
Need a good backgrounder on the blockade?
We recently shared a video to fill you in on the effects of this policy history.
Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba 