US assesses removal of visa categories authorizing travel to Cuba

The US government plans to remove some of the twelve categories that allow Americans to travel to Cuba, which could affect airlines and cruise ships that have accelerated after the thaw began in 2014.

Carrie Filipetti, "Number Two" of the US State Department, explained Thursday EFE who currently it should be reconsidered whether trips other than those for family reasons should be allowed, because he wants to avoid that the money of the travelers "does not stop at the hands of the Cuban regime".

"We are currently starting an investigation to determine to what extent certain categories of these authorized trips are used to send money to elements of the scheme," said Filipetti, who did not specify when he would decide which categories would stay and which would be eliminated.

Americans are not allowed to travel to Cuba, but they can travel if they meet some of the twelve existing categories: government visits, media activities or research centers, educational, religious and medical projects, among others.

The approach advocated in 2014 by then US President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart Raúl Castro made this type of exception more flexible.

Specifically, Obama has allowed Americans to "self-certify" without explanations as participants in any of the twelve categories allowed, which has made it easier for airlines and cruise ships that have started to make commercial trips to the island.

In a speech Wednesday in Miami, National Security Adviser John Bolton suggested that These types of visits constitute "veiled tourism" and, as a result, restrictions are announced for travel that is not for family reasons.

The tightening of US policy towards Cuba implies, among other things, that US courts are asking for property expropriated after the Revolution and that new restrictions on remittances be limited to $ 1,000 per person per quarter , a blow to the thousands of Cubans living with help. their emigrant parents sent them from the United States.

When asked about this, Filipetti badured that the $ 1,000 ceiling had been set because it was considered "sufficient" to allow Cubans to have "what they needed" without inadvertently "allowing" "to" Cuban regime to appropriate these resources. "

"When we considered limiting remittances, it was important for us not to ban remittances, as many Cubans are forced to live on a small government wage, but they do not have enough to survive. So we want to make sure that we do not hinder that, "he said.

The diplomat argued that, when proclaiming the new measures, "the effect on ordinary Cubans" had been taken into account and that the goal of the Donald Trump government was "to ensure respect human rights "in Cuba and" rapid transition to democracy. "

The new measures could have a considerable impact on the self-employed ("cuentapropistas"), many of whom have created their businesses with the help of their relatives abroad.

Since arriving at the White House in January 2017, the Trump government has tightened Cuba 's policy by cutting diplomatic staff and sanctioning hotels across the island, expanding the reach of the island. 39, economic and commercial embargo.