ronichas Loc: Long Island

You need to educate yourself.


**Support for the Cuban People is intended to do just that—support the people of Cuba—while limiting benefits to the Cuban military. This has been stated multiple times, both in announcements and official documentation. Senator Marco Rubio, who was the driver behind this category, explicitly outlines how Americans can travel to Cuba under the Support for the Cuban People category.**

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

In your opinion are all socialist countries guilty of owning and controlling their populations?

ronichas Loc: Long Island

FYI...

*§515.574 Support for the Cuban People.
(a) General license. The travel-related transactions set forth in §515.560(c) and other transactions that are intended to provide support for the Cuban people are authorized, provided that:

(1) The activities are of:

(i) Recognized human rights organizations;

(ii) Independent organizations designed to promote a rapid, peaceful transition to democracy; or

(iii) Individuals and non-governmental organizations that promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba; and

(2) Each traveler engages in a full-time schedule of activities that:

(i) Enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people's independence from Cuban authorities; and

(ii) Result in meaningful interaction with individuals in Cuba.

(3) The traveler's schedule of activities does not include free time or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule.

Note 1 to paragraph (a): Each person relying on the general authorization in this paragraph must retain specific records related to the authorized travel transactions. See §§501.601 and 501.602 of this chapter for applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

Note 2 to paragraph (a): Staying in a room at a rented accommodation in a private Cuban residence (casa particular), eating at privately-owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), and shopping at privately-owned stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropista) are examples of activities that qualify for this general license. However, in order to meet the requirement for a full-time schedule, a traveler must engage in additional authorized Support for the Cuban People activities.

(b) An entire group does not qualify for the general license in paragraph (a) of this section merely because some members of the group qualify individually.

(c) Certain direct financial transactions restricted. Nothing in paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section authorizes a direct financial transaction prohibited by §515.209, with the exception of transactions on behalf of a non-governmental organization.

(d) Specific licenses. Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in §515.560(c) and such other transactions as are related to support for the Cuban people that do not qualify for the general license under paragraph (a) of this section.

Example 1 to §515.574: An individual plans to travel to Cuba, stay in a room at a rented accommodation in a private Cuban residence (casa particular), eat at privately-owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), and shop at privately-owned stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropista) during his or her four-day trip. While at the casa particular, the individual will have breakfast each morning with the Cuban host and engage with the Cuban host to learn about Cuban culture. In addition, the traveler will complete his or her full-time schedule by supporting Cuban entrepreneurs launching their privately-owned businesses. The traveler's activities promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba. Because the individual's qualifying activities are not limited to staying in a room at a rented accommodation in a private Cuban residence (casa particular), eating at privately-owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), and shopping at privately owned stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropista) and the traveler maintains a full-time schedule that enhances contact with the Cuban people, supports civil society in Cuba, and promotes the Cuban people's independence from Cuban authorities, and that results in meaningful interaction between the traveler and Cuban individuals, the individual's travel qualifies for the general license.
Example 2 to §515.574: A group of friends plans to travel and maintain a full-time schedule throughout their trip by volunteering with a recognized non-governmental organization to build a school for underserved Cuban children with the local community. In their free time, the travelers plan to rent bicycles to explore the streets of Havana and visit an art museum. The travelers' trip would qualify for the general license because the volunteer activities promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba and constitute a full-time schedule that enhances contact with the Cuban people and supports civil society in Cuba, and results in meaningful interaction between the travelers and individuals in Cuba.
Example 3 to §515.574: An individual plans to travel to Cuba, rent a bicycle to explore the neighborhoods and beaches, and engage in brief exchanges with local beach vendors. The individual intends to stay at a hotel that does not appear on the Cuba Restricted List (see §515.209). The traveler's trip does not qualify for this general license because none of these activities promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba.
[80 FR 2299, Jan. 16, 2015, as amended at 82 FR 52003, Nov. 9, 2017]

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§515.575 Humanitarian projects.
(a) General license. Transactions, including the travel-related transactions set forth in §515.560(c), that are related to the humanitarian projects in or related to Cuba that are designed to directly benefit the Cuban people as set forth in paragraph (b) are authorized, provided that the traveler's schedule of activities does not include free time or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule.

Note 1 to paragraph (a): Each person relying on the general authorization in this paragraph must retain specific records related to the authorized travel transactions. See §§501.601 and 501.602 of this chapter for applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

Note 2 to paragraph (a): See §515.590(b) for an authorization for the provision of grants, scholarships, or awards related to humanitarian projects in or related to Cuba that are designed to directly benefit the Cuban people as set forth in paragraph (b).

(b) Authorized humanitarian projects. The following projects are authorized by paragraph (a) of this section: Medical and health-related projects; construction projects intended to benefit legitimately independent civil society groups; disaster preparedness, relief, and response; historical preservation; environmental projects; projects involving formal or non-formal educational training, within Cuba or off-island, on the following topics: Entrepreneurship and business, civil education, journalism, advocacy and organizing, adult literacy, or vocational skills; community-based grassroots projects; projects suitable to the development of small-scale private enterprise; projects that are related to agricultural and rural development that promote independent activity; microfinancing projects, except for loans, extensions of credit, or other financing prohibited by §515.208; and projects to meet basic human needs.

Example to §515.575(b): A U.S. group of medical professionals that specializes in disease treatment wishes to support a community in Cuba by providing the latest techniques and literature in disease education and prevention directly to the Cuban people. Provided that the medical professionals in the group maintain a full-time schedule related to disease education and prevention, these activities qualify for the general license.
(c) An entire group does not qualify for the general license in paragraph (a) of this section merely because some members of the group qualify individually.

(d) Specific licenses. Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in §515.560(c) and such other transactions as are related to humanitarian projects that do not qualify for the general license under paragraph (a) of this section.

[80 FR 2300, Jan. 16, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 56924, Sept. 21, 2015; 81 FR 4586, Jan. 27, 2016; 81 FR 13994, Mar. 16, 2016; 81 FR 71377, Oct. 17, 2016]

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=9e3b16fb4a0e98494c1e0384ef4f064d&mc=true&n=sp31.3.515.e&r=SUBPART&ty=HTML#se31.3.515_1574

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I am very educated.
I also have actually lived in these areas, you have NOT.
I have observed the moronic tourists wandering around in a state of stupidity.
But go ahead and do your thing, and hope you are proud of your support for murder and death.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

Have you been to Cuba in recent years? I tend to doubt it, so you have your opinions based on...what?

You are pathetic, insulting and just wrong.

Enough of your moronic comments.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Just go.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

I have been to Cuba a number of time (at least 8) in the past 12 years. The comments made are not altogether wrong. The country is a “police state” and very repressive. Tourism does provide benefits to people and there has been an easing of the finances for private citizens to operate “Casa Particular” accommodations and restaurants, and keep a significant portion of the profits. Some of the restaurants in Havana are now owned by private enterprises although they are mostly from Spain. Availability of food continues to be a big problem for ordinary people since the hospitality industry (which pays taxes) seems to have a first claim. Local markets where people shop have poor quality meat and produce and not enough of it. It has gotten much worse since my first trip there about 12 years ago. It is very complicated.

For anyone (everyone) going there, please take a duffle bag full of underwear and white T-shirts for children, toothbrushes and toothpaste, multi-vitamins, and chewing gum. Find a Christian or Jewish mission to donate these items to. This will help the people directly. The government does not hassle you at the airport when carrying these item in.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Good for you--go!

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

No matter what you say, the Government's hand receives a good part part of the cash. You are delusional if you think otherwise, and you will still be supporting a repressive regime.

As to the classic Car Tour, the majority have had their engines and transmissions replaced with Izuzu parts. Not a classic in my estimation, but that is my own opinion.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

The planned tour sounds awesome! I've talked with some of my European friends who have visited Cuba, and they all had a splendid time while there. From what I've heard, the locals are extremely friendly and helpful, especially in the rural areas. Compared to other tourist destinations in the region, the danger of getting mugged or kidnapped is almost non-existent. Although I won't be able to make it next year, I do hope to visit Cuba someday soon.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

Well and politely said Jerry!

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Some people would make the same comments about supporting our country who killed millions of vietnamese and millions of iraqi's and kept Cuba in destitution for decades due to our embargoes and policies. What did our secret police do around the world for the last 70 years?

Ignorance of history can cause the type of hypocricy you have given here.

usnpilot Loc: Ft Myers Fl

I truly hope you’re not one of those people.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

Well said Bob. America's hands are not clean, but you could make the same argument about Britain, France, Germany, Italy and many other nations that have waged colonial wars or suppressed their own citizens over the last 5,000 years!