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U.S. Updates and Strengthens Restrictions on Travel to Cuba |
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Wednesday, 16 May 2012 07:26
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 The United States Treasury Department redoubled the supervision to the travels to Cuba and announced that violating those restrictions will be punished with fines of 65 000 USD and even the suspension of the licenses, among other actions.
In a statement from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), under the Treasury Department, the government of President Barack Obama warned last March that it would retaliate against any attempt to make tourism under the policy established by the White House.
Washington's admonition was directed to ads that suggest the option that travellers will have free time on the island for activities outside the educational program. That's a wrong impression and can be punished with a suspended license, OFAC said.
The Obama administration's warning about the non-tourist travel licenses is due to pressure from conservative Cuban-American lawmakers, against the cultural and educational exchanges, political analysts said.
The update to the prohibitions apply to U.S. citizens without family ties to Cuba, and from now on license applicants must explain why they need to meet with senior officials in the Caribbean island, notes the digital site Capitolhillcubans.com.
OFAC also ruled that a representative of the holder of the license must travel on every trip, and stressed that tourist travel to Cuba are illegal from the point of view of the White House and can be fined 65 000 USD.
This resolution followed a demand from the Republican Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio, who demanded in Congress more reviews of the routes and the overall program, because it is difficult to manage and prevent unlawful acts, he said. (PL)
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 09:14 |
