Apr 14, 2009 7:46 am US/Eastern
Cuban-Americans Applaud Easing Of Restrictions
WASHINGTON (CBS4) ―
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President Barack Obama speaks on improving veterans health care at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., April 09, 2009.
Aude Guerrucci/AFP/Getty Images
Some Cuban-Americans in Miami are applauding the Obama administration's policy change toward Cuba which will allow for unlimited travel and money transfers.
President Barack Obama said the measures are intended to help the Cuban people become less dependent on the Castro regime. The White House also believes this will help the Cuban people in their push for political freedom and a democratic government.
Francisco Hernandez, head of the exile group the Cuban American National Foundation, was once a staunch supporter of travel restrictions. He now supports the new easing of restrictions saying he hopes it will inspire both sides to reconsider long-held positions.
"It will help Cubans become more independent of the state not only in economic terms but in terms of information, and contacts with the outside world," said Hernandez, who was imprisoned by the Cuban government for nearly two years after participating in the 1961 failed Bay of Pigs invasion.
"I think it is a good idea to help family, but it's a regime and I don't care to spend money for that regime; still I believe it is a good idea and can help out," said Miami resident Lazaro Bueno.
Miami travel agent Tessie Aral said her phone has been ringing nonstop in anticipation of the announcement, with a tenfold increase since last Friday.
"Policy to travel to Cuba has been used in a way by all our regulators to make a statement on how the relations should work," said Aral, owner of ABC Charters. "We're used as little pieces in a chess match."
Also under the policy revisions gift parcels will now be allowed to be sent to Cuba. The administration will also begin issuing licenses to allow telecommunications and other companies to provide cell and television services to people on the island, and to allow family members to pay for relatives on Cuba to get those services.
"The announcement today is good news for Cuban families separated by the lack of freedom in Cuba. Likewise the change in remittances should provide help to families in need," said U.S. Senator Mel Martinez.
The changes made good on a promise President Obama made while a presidential candidate. It has been known for over a week that he would announce them in advance of his attended this weekend of a Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago.
"There are no better ambassadors for freedom than Cuban Americans," Obama said in a campaign speech last May in Miami, the heart of the U.S. Cuban-American community. "It's time to let Cuban Americans see their mothers and fathers, their sisters and brothers. It's time to let Cuban American money make their families less dependent upon the Castro regime."
Some lawmakers, backed by business and farm groups seeing new opportunities in Cuba, are advocating wider revisions in the trade and travel bans imposed after Fidel Castro took power in Havana in 1959.
Click here to apply online to visit a family member in Cuba.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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