Rapprochement Cuba/usa: Opportunities and Obstacles

On 16 January 2015, certain easements to the US embargo of Cuba were announced and have become effective. They fall within the framework of the process of normalisation of bilateral relations initiated by Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro. While they fail to put an end to US economic sanctions, they are nonetheless a positive step, confirming Washington's willingness to end an anachronistic policy that is both cruel and ineffective. This policy is in fact the main obstacle to the development of the island, negatively affecting the most vulnerable sectors of the Cuban population. It has aroused the unanimous condemnation of the international community.1The first measure concerns opportunities for travel to Cuba. While US citizens are still not allowed to visit the island as ordinary tourists - although they are allowed to travel freely to China, Vietnam and North Korea - Washington has decided to facilitate travel for those who fit within twelve specific categories authorised by law. The twelve categories are (1) family visits; (2) official business of the US government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organisations; (3) journalistic activity; (4) professional research and professional meetings; (5) educational activities; (6) religious activities; (7) public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; (8) support for the Cuban people; (9) humanitarian projects; (10) activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; (11) exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials; and (12) certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines. Thus, within the new framework, US travel and airline offices can now offer their services without being required to first obtain a specific licence from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC, Treasury Department). Furthermore, citizens allowed to travel to Cuba can now use their credit cards on the island without a limit on the amount that can be charged. They are also allowed to carry up to $10,000 and can purchase up to $400 in merchandise, including 100 in tobacco and alcohol.2At the level of remittances to Cuba, it is now possible to send $2000 per quarter, against 500 before. However, according to US law, senior government officials and members of the Communist Party may still not receive family assistance from the US. Max Lesnik, director of the Miami-based magazine La Nueva Replica, has criticised this restriction:For a long time we have accused the Havana government of having divided the Cuban family for political and ideological reasons. However, it now appears that it is U.S. policy that arbitrarily separates families, for example, preventing a Miami Cuban from supporting her mother in Havana on the grounds that she is a Communist Party militant or a member of the government.3In addition, US citizens may also now provide unlimited financial assistance to Cubans for humanitarian projects and the development of private businesses.4In the field of telecommunications, US companies, under licences granted by the Department of Commerce, may now export their technology to Cuba. Thus, Cubans can purchase computers, software, cell phones, televisions, etc. The Cuban private sector will also be able to purchase construction and agricultural equipment. Domestic companies, however, are excluded. At the same time, it will now be possible to export certain goods produced by the Cuban private sector to the US.5 However, given that the vast majority of the island's goods and services is in fact produced by State enterprises, the impact of these measures remains quite limited.6In the financial arena, US companies with commercial links to Cuba may now open a bank account in a financial institution on the island. Washington also announced the suspension of one aspect of the Torricelli Act of 1992 that prohibited any foreign ship docking in Cuban ports to travel to the US during the following six months. …