US loosens restrictions on Cuba travel, remittances amid summit blowback

The United States on Wednesday moved to lift some Trump-era restrictions on remittances and travel to Cuba even as it fended off criticism for blocking the Communist-run island and long-time foe from attending a regional summit this week. The amended regulations, set to be published in the US Federal Register on Thursday, will provide further fine print around a broader easing of U.S. restrictions on Cuba first announced by the administration of President Joe Biden in May. A Treasury Department official said publication of the new regulations was purposefully aligned with the US-hosted Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. The conference was initially conceived as a platform to showcase U.S. leadership and support for Latin America. But that agenda has been partially undermined by a boycott by some regional leaders upset at Washington's decision to exclude Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Washington has said it has concerns about human rights and a lack of democracy in those three nations. The Cuba-related rule changes this week allow US citizens to once again travel to Cuba on group educational trips hosted by US-based travel companies or organizations, and to attend professional meetings and conferences in Cuba. The regulations also lift a $1,000 quarterly limit on family remittances to Cuban nationals who are close relatives and allow US citizens to send funds to non-family members on the island.<br/>