President Obama Eases Cuba Travel Restrictions
MIAMI (CBS4) - Travel to Cuba got a little easier Friday.
The Obama Administration announced it would be easing travel restrictions to the island nation even more, according to CBS4 news partners The Miami Herald.
The move makes it easier for schools, churches and cultural groups in an ``effort to support the Cuban people's desire to freely determine their own future.
The administration is also restoring the "people-to-people" category of travel, designed to increase contacts between U.S. and Cuban citizens.
In addition to the lifted restrictions, President Obama is also reinstating the amount of money that can be sent to non-family members. The amount is now $2,000, however, a limit of $500 is allowed in a three month period.
"We see these changes, in combination with the continuation of the embargo, as a way to enhance civil society in Cuba,'' the administration official said, adding that increased contact between Cubans and Americans could "support the independence of the Cuban people, making them less dependent on the Cuban state and on Cuban authorities.''
The changes will also have an economic effect on the airline industry. More airports could now house regular charter flights to the island.
The Obama official shot down speculation that Friday's announcement was supposed to happen months ago, but was kept quiet to avoid opposition to the Democratic party at the polls in the November.
"This package of changes was the result of an interagency process that has concluded only in the last couple of days,'' the administration official said. ``They are rolling out now that they are ready to be rolled out.''
The official stressed that these eased restrictions do not change the economic embargo between the U.S. and Cuba, and tourist travel remains illegal.
Late Friday, the Archdiocese of Miami released a statement from Archbishop Thomas Wenski that read: "The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops has worked tirelessly for years with White House representatives promoting greater contact between people of Cuba and the free world. As the Archbishop of Miami, I am pleased with this news and believe it is a step in the right direction."
The archbishop added "how fitting that this announcement comes the same day as the news of Pope John Paul II's beatification, a man who during his visit to Cuba in 1998 stated 'Cuba should open itself to the world and world should open itself to Cuba'."
CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed to this report.
