Last July, the United States and Cuba restored relations with each other after decades of completely severed ties. The conflict between the neighboring nations began during the Cold War when Fidel Castro's communist regime overthrew the Cuban government. The new government then nationalized pretty much everything including U.S. owned businesses. The U.S. increased trade restrictions with Cuba and eventually set up a full embargo prohibiting trade and travel.
The U.S. then embarked on a number of equally creative and ridiculous attempts to overthrow Castro. The most widely known is the Bay of Pigs invasion, which was authorized under President Eisenhower but inherited by John F. Kennedy, who subsequently took the fall for the operation. The CIA basically trained a little over a thousand Cubans living in exile and had them invade Cuba. The invasion failed miserably and further increased tensions between the two nations.
Other bizarre, failed attempts to overthrow Castro include exploding cigars, a fungus ridden scuba suit, and attempted poisoning.
With the nations finally restoring relations, many Americans may be wondering why they aren't currently perusing las calles de Habana Vieja while smoking cigars and chewing on sugar cane. Well, for one thing, chewing on sugar cane is a great way to get splinters in your tongue. Also, and more importantly, tourism to Cuba is still illegal. Although there are still some ways to visit the island nation.
As of late last year, the two governments agreed to allow commercial flights between the nations. In order for Americans to go to Cuba, the purpose of their trip must fall into 12 categories. These include:
1. Visiting family
2. Humanitarian projects
3. Official U.S. or foreign government business or business of certain intergovernmental organizations
4. Journalistic activities
5. Professional research
6. Educational activities by people at academic institutions
7. People to people travel
8. Religious activities
9. Public performance, clinics, workshops, or athletic competitions
10. Private educational institution activities
11. Providing travel, carrier, and remittance forwarding services
12. Exporting certain Internet-based services
These categories are very broad and make it much easier for Americans to get into Cuba. However, cell phones from U.S. providers won't work on the island, and Internet access is very limited. U.S. credit and debit cards also won't work, which means most dealings will have to be done in cash.
Overall, the seeds are being sown for a much healthier relationship between the U.S. Cuba. President Raul Castro has taken steps to better Cuba's economic situation by decentralizing the agriculture industry and easing up on small businesses. The increasing liberalization of Cuba will certainly benefit its historically oppressed citizens and most likely turn a nation that people fled from on homemade rafts into one that people will pay top dollar to visit.
