Cubans a little bit more free: restrictions on overseas travel relaxed after 50 years

Monday, January 14th 2013 - 03:28 UTC

Full article 5 comments

After over half a century, Cuba's new immigration rules that will take effect on January 14 will relax overseas travel restrictions, Havana authorities said. From Tuesday Cubans intending to travel can apply for a passport without the need to present a government permit, known as the White Card, or an invitation letter from abroad, two prior requisites that made travel planning more onerous, according to Cuba's immigration bureau (IND). Read full article

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Anglotino
A country with travel restrictions..... what a weird place to live!
Jan 14th, 2013 - 05:16 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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walterlx
For years we've been told that the restrictions on Cubans' ability to travel abroad demonstrated that the island is nothing but a tropical gulag. These new Cuban rules, which are now in effect, make that kind of argument unsustainable if actual facts have anything to do with it.

Despite the NYT's long-time hostility toward Cuba and its revolutionary government, this is an informative article. Besides, it's published in the NYT, so that makes it important by itself.

Washington's hostility toward the Cuban revolution is and will remain unchanged. Helms-Burton, Torricelli and the Cuban Adjustment Act remain in full force and effect, for now. But Cuba has taken a giant step in the direction of friendlier and more open ties with most of those who've left the country. Today's big question is, how will Washington respond to this?

Walter Lippmann
Editor-in-Chief, CubaNews
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CubaNews/
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THE NEW YORK TIMES
January 13, 2013
After Decades, Cuba Eases Travel Rules to Maintain Ties
By VICTORIA BURNETT

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CubaNews/
Jan 14th, 2013 - 12:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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ajoknoblauch
Ironically, as Cuba loosens restrictions on travel abroad, Argentina continues to tighten them.
Jan 14th, 2013 - 07:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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ChrisR
Perhaps when the two old bastards die, things will really improve for the poor sods of Cuba.
Jan 14th, 2013 - 08:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Troy Tempest
@4 Chris
In the past 8 years since I've been going there, things have really started to liberalise.
When I first visited, certain items were restricted from entering the country, ie. walkie-talkies
Buying and selling of private cars was restricted. Now it has been liberalised and cellphones are not uncommon.
Computers are present and email use is widespread, but personal email addresses are illegal.
Cuban Tourist vessels must be in constant radio contact with authorities and continuously update their course and position.
Jan 15th, 2013 - 04:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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