Americans Defy Cuba Travel Ban Before ‘Other Americans…Ruin it All’
Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 09.11.07 | 8:02 AM ET
Yes, this is the peculiar form of national self loathing a number of Americans express in defying the Cuba travel ban. Just how many Americans visit Cuba without U.S. permission? Reliable numbers are hard to come by, but a new AP report citing Cuban government sources puts the number at close to 20,000 in the first half of this year alone. And according to the story, “many say being sneaky is part of the fun.”
One 29-year-old New Yorker who visited last year said, “The fact that you’re not supposed to be there, that was the top for me.”
The story quotes American travelers in Havana who said they wanted to see Cuba before Fidel Castro dies and the country changes.
Take 20-year-old American traveler Bridget, who while visiting Old Havana recently told the AP, “We wanted to get here before all the other Americans come and ruin it all.”
Bridget no doubt imagines Starbucks, KFCs and Best Buy outlets on every other corner in Havana. Plenty of Cubans, of course, are no doubt eager for more foreign investment. One person’s ruin is another’s windfall.
Nobody knows how soon such changes could come, but the story notes that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has expressed interest in loosening travel restrictions for Cuban Americans. Democratic candidate Christopher J. Dodd, who we’ve noted is a former Peace Corps volunteer, has said he would go even further, ending the trade embargo, lifting travel restrictions and opening an American embassy in Havana.
Related on World Hum:
* A Traveler’s Take on Michael Moore’s ‘Sicko’
* Travelocity Fined $183,000 for Selling Cuba Trips
* Duo Charged With Inventing Fake Religious Organizations to Facilitate Travel to Cuba
Photo by ilkerender via Flickr, (Creative Commons).
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Jim Benning is the editor and co-founder of World Hum.
Rex 09.11.07 | 2:02 PM ET
I went to Cuba in 1951 while in US
navy. Castro was fighting Cuban
army,Castro was hiding in mountains
and we were touring rum plantion
while on liberty.Castro`s rebels
came there to kidnap the owners boy.
We saw them,talked to them and they
were real nice to us.Cuba is a very
pretty place.After discharge from
service,afew shipmates & I thought
about joining Castro.
Dan 09.11.07 | 2:17 PM ET
I know that Cuba and the American Government have a long list of grievances. The travel restrictions are ridiculous though in this day and age. I would be all for it if we were going on the premise that the embargo was in place because we refuse to deal with countries with recorded human rights abuses.
But this is not really the case. If we have open relations, trade and travel with Vietnam, a government that we actively fought for years and then to cap it off, WITH CHINA!
China, a country we currently have almost 75% of our foreign investments in and how can we forget the images of the students confronting tanks and for those of us who had satellite television and got to see the raw feeds, saw many people getting gunned down.
Given all this, it is crazy that we can trade and travel with so many other countries and not Cuba.
starsea 09.12.07 | 6:23 AM ET
Travel guide will provide useful information as you plan your trip. We suggest that first read the overview of Cuba section to get an idea of the travel experience that awaits you. Then go to the regions of Cuba section to find specific information on the area you are planning to visit.
More information,please go on:
http://www.worldtravelling.cn
Dee 09.12.07 | 1:26 PM ET
While Cuba may be enticing, is it really worth betraying your country to visit? Recently, I had a conversation with a man who had been to Cuba several times and only got caught once. The man said that he thought the fine of $1100 was reasonable and the permanent mark of “aiding the enemy” didn’t mean he wouldn’t go back. Now, I love to travel and all places are of interest, but until the USA, which is my home of birth and choice changes the regulations, I will look to the internet for a look at Cuba.
Dan 09.12.07 | 2:03 PM ET
But that is just it. It should be changed. If we can go to Vietnam, where so many of our soldiers died fighting that regime. And we can go to China, who has major officials stating that they will be the next superpower and believe they will have to take America down to do it. The examples are near endless. Our first president, George Washington was for Free trade with all, Intangling alliances with none.
If the US is stating that Cuba is our enemy and we are not to go there, fine. But Vietnam is not? They are still communist, right? We can go to Venezuala, after Hugo Chavez`‘s diatribes against us. It makes no sense.
Rod 02.23.08 | 11:13 AM ET
Interesting reading! Lets remember folks, Castro was put into power by US (the same country that put Batista into power) I believe that Fidel Castro was schooled in Princeton N.J..
Did the US blow it? Twice?
IgotAcrushOnObama 09.10.08 | 11:09 PM ET
Vote for Obama! He will allow us our right to travel to Cuba!