The Biden administration lifted flight restrictions to Cuba set by former President Trump that limited travel only to capital city Havana only.
The US Transportation Department issued the order on Wednesday as part of a larger Cuban foreign policy reset. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the move was "in support of the Cuban people, and in the foreign policy interests of the United States."
The Biden administration promised to lift restrictions on the amount of money immigrants can send back to family within Cuba as well and to reinstate the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program. This 2007 program was designed to allow US Citizens to apply for parole for their family members incarcerated in Cuba.
If approved, the parolees were allowed to bypass the immigrant visa process and gain immediate entry to America.
President Trump suspended the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program and limited flights only to Havana. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said in a 2020 tweet that "the Castro regime uses tourism and travel funds to finance its abuses and interference in Venezuela. Dictators cannot be allowed to benefit from US Travel."
Last summer Cuba experienced a resurgence of protest over its communist dictatorship. The country's economic contraction spurred many to the streets. Cuban musician Rudy Sarzo said to The Post Millennial that the country's citizens had "nothing else to lose" in their pursuit of freedom.
It's unclear how the recent shift in policy will affect the Cuban economy.
State Department spokesman Ned Price has said "with these actions, we aim to support Cubans' aspirations for freedom and for greater economic opportunities so that they can lead successful lives at home."
Biden's stance towards Cuba is similar to President Barack Obama who moved to restore economic ties with Cuba and lifted a decades long embargo on travel to and from the country.
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy
