The rules of travel to Cuba

The rules of travel to Cuba

By Seattle Times travel staff

The U.S. government permits only certain American citizens to visit
Cuba, including those with relatives in Cuba or those with educational,
religious, journalistic or humanitarian reasons for traveling there. The
travel restrictions are part of the economic sanctions against Cuba by
the U.S. government, which opposes President Fidel Castro's rule.

In its consular information sheet on Cuba, the U.S. State Department
cautions visitors: "Cuba is a totalitarian police state, which relies on
repressive methods to maintain control. These methods, including intense
physical and electronic surveillance of Cubans, are also extended to
foreign travelers. ... The regime is strongly anti-American yet
desperate for U.S. dollars to prop itself up."

Through what's called the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, administered
by the Treasury Department, the U.S. strictly limits economic
transactions with Cuba.

"People subject to U.S. jurisdiction must be licensed to engage in any
transaction related to travel to, from, and within Cuba. Transactions
related to tourist travel are not licensable," says the consular
information sheet.

"This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a
third country such as Mexico or Canada. U.S. law enforcement authorities
have increased enforcement of these regulations at U.S. airports and
pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travelers who fail to
comply with Department of Treasury regulations will face civil penalties
and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States."

To get more details on what travel to Cuba is permitted, go to the State
Department Web site at www.travel.state.gov or phone 888-407-4747 for
recorded information.

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