Consequences of the Presidential Election
for Cuba Travel and Educational Exchange
President Trump
• Halted cruises to Cuba
• Blocked flights from the US to regional cities
• Terminated virtually all group tours
• Forbade Americans to use all hotels
• Stopped most independent self-guided travel
• Impeded cultural exchanges and conferences
• Prevented faculty led introductory trips for students
• Frustrated Cuban travel to the US for family visits and immigration, for study and for professional exchanges by closing consular authority
• Eliminated family remittances through Western Union and other legal channels as well as informal small scale investments
• Ended money transfers for personal or program reasons to non-family members
• Minimized contact and opportunities for mutual understanding between the two governments by drastically reducing both the US and Cuban embassies
• Opened the door to greater Russian and Chinese presence and influence
President-elect Biden
• Has promised to "promptly reverse the failed Trump policies" and said the Trump administration’s decision to reimpose trade and travel sanctions on Cuba “isn’t working”
• Believes "Americans – and especially Cuban-Americans – can be our best ambassadors for freedom in Cuba"
• Can encourage passage of Leahy/McGovern legislation to end all restrictions on travel, allowing normal tourism and resort holidays
• Supports economic reforms and private sector growth initiated by Cubans
• Will expand cultural exchanges like Jill Biden's visit to Camaguey and Havana, view here
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
without delay must
Undo Trump's Damage.
Then Build Back Better!