American travelers and Cuba

American travelers and Cuba
November 18, 2012

Here is what the State Department says about travel to Cuba:

"The U.S. Department of the Treasury enforces the Cuban Assets Control
Regulations, which apply to all U.S. citizens and permanent residents
wherever they are located, all people and organizations physically
located in the United States, and branches and subsidiaries of U.S.
organizations throughout the world. The regulations require that persons
subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed in order to engage in any
travel-related transactions pursuant to travel to, from, and within
Cuba. Transactions related to travel for tourist activities are not
licensable. This restriction also prohibits tourist travel to Cuba from
or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada. U.S. law
enforcement authorities enforce these regulations at U.S. airports and
pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travelers who fail to
comply with Department of the Treasury regulations could face civil
penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States."

The State Deparment also notes that "general licenses are granted to the
following categories of travelers, who are permitted to spend money to
travel to Cuba and to engage in other transactions directly incident to
the purpose of their travel, without the need to obtain a specific
license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign
Assets Control," including those visiting close relatives; journalists;
official government travelers on official business; religious
organizations. See http://www.travel.state.gov for more exceptions.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-cubabox-20121118,0,302167.story