Pres. Barack Obama’s new policy on travel and money sent to Cuba is getting a positive reception in the local Cuban-American community. While Obama did not lift the much-debated trade embargo that the U.S. has had on Cuba for the past 47 years, he did loosen restrictions on Cuban-Americans visiting their relatives in Cuba and sending money to help their families.
Now, Cuban-Americans can travel to Cuba as frequently as they like and send family and friends as much money as they want, as long as the recipients are not Communist officials.
“I am glad he is doing it,” said Cid Mendez, a West New York artist who is currently working on an exhibit to show his support of open dialogue between Cuba, his homeland, and the United States. “Obama is obviously being well advised.”
Many Cuban-Americans in the area say that this is a sign of better times to come, but others are more skeptical.
“Overall, I think that America and the American people have always wanted to have a relationship with Cuba,” said West New York Mayor Sal Vega, “but unless there is a change in the regime, nothing positive, regardless of what we do, is going to happen.” Vega left Cuba with his family years ago. He said that until there is drastic change in the Cuban government, he will not consider going back.
Union City Commissioner Lucio Fernandez said that he, too, will not return to Cuba any time soon; however, he sees the new policy as the first step in the right direction.
“Forty-seven years of embargo has not changed a thing with the Cuban political climate,” said Fernandez. “It has made no difference whatsoever.” He added that the people who have truly suffered from the embargo have not been those in government, but the poor.
He also said that Cuban-Americans continued to travel to Cuba, in one way or another, sometimes going through a third party country to get there.
“That’s the great hypocrisy of it all,” said Fernandez.
The government
Mendez said that no one wants the Communist Cuban government to become rich and powerful, but the younger generation seems to be more open to the possibilities of a better international relationship.
“Cuba has always been a hotbed of political controversy,” he said. “I think, for the first time, however, this will be a sustained approach that will lead to the results we want.”
Mendez said that the United States still has a long way to go to really improve relations with Cuba that will lead to the benefit of both the Cuban and American people.
“As much as I want change on the island, there are a lot of policies that would have to be carefully navigated,” he said. He added that most Cubans in the area would like to see Cuba grant its people democracy, freedom of speech, and free enterprise.
“Right now, the beginning is letting the family members go down there at will and bring money and goods to their families,” he said.
Local travel agencies have recently experienced an increase in interest in trips to Cuba.
“We are seeing a lot of people calling and inquiring about the new changes,” said Ofelia Gutierrez, the manager of Costamar Travel on 39th Street in Union City.
“This is the beginning of what has the potential to become the rebirth of both our nations.” – Cid Mendez
________
“In our culture, we are very close to cousins and uncles, and you could not send money to them because they were not considered immediate family,” she said.
She added that she will take advantage of the recent change in policy and travel to Cuba with her kids, who have been there only once and are anxious to go back.
“This is the beginning of a new life in Cuba,” said Mendez. “This is the beginning of what has the potential to become the rebirth of both our nations.”
He added that Obama’s policy regarding Cuba could have a drastic effect on the president’s legacy.
Mendez also said that he, too, is looking forward to going back to Cuba.
“For the first time in 50 years and the first time in my life, I can say with certainty that the day I have dreamt of would happen, that I would lay on the beach as an adult, relaxing to the sounds of the ocean and under the palms trees of my hometown, that day is coming,” said Mendez.
Amanda Staab can be reached at astaab@hudsonreporter.com.