Obama to OK Family Visits to Cuba

Will remove Bush's restrictions on cultural, academic trips

(NEWSER) - President Obama intends to peel back restrictions on travel to Cuba enacted under George W. Bush, allowing academic, religious, and cultural groups to more freely venture to and from the communist island. Obama already lifted the restrictions for Americans with relatives on the island in 2009, but is now returning in full to the broader “people to people” policy that existed under Bill Clinton, the New York Times reports. More»

'Waving the bloody shirt of anti-Castro politics' may be out of date

(NEWSER) - In his speech in Miami this week, John McCain talked the familiar macho talk on Cuba, taking a hard line on the embargo and ridiculing Barack Obama for suggesting that he might open a dialogue with Raul Castro. That may still play with older exiles, Time notes, but a growing number of younger Cuban-Americans don't believe the embargo has any hope of toppling the regime and would like to see more openness in both diplomacy and borders. More»

(NEWSER) - Taking advantage of loosened US rules, Cuban-Americans are flocking back to Havana and sparking a mini economic boom, the Guardian reports. Expatriates are bringing everything from Victoria's Secret bras to M&Ms to toothbrushes—and, of course, American dollars—for their Cuban families. "Capitalism à la carte," said one recent arrival from Miami. More»

It bridges the gap between divided families: White House

(NEWSER) - President Obama officially announced new rules for Cuban remittances and travel today, lifting barriers implemented by his predecessor. The eased restrictions allow Cuban Americans to make limitless money transfers and trips to the island nation, the AP reports. It fulfills Obama’s campaign promise to bridge the gap between divided Cuban families, days before he attends a regional summit in Trinidad and Tobago. More»

Travel to Cuba shows signs of loosening

(NEWSER) - American tourists are flooding into Cuba as the freeze between the countries shows signs of thawing, reports the Los Angeles Times. For the recent Cuban Biennale art show, young Americans arrived to enjoy the culture and nightlife, defying the longstanding travel ban. With a bill to lift restrictions pending in the Senate, citizens on both sides of the divide wonder whether the influx foretells real change. More»