The Wardman Wire

Today, we’ll have a brief look at US regulations around travel to Cuba - something of an over obsession with US Governments for half a century now.

This is what the Department of State says on its Consular Information Sheet about Cuba:

Cuba is a totalitarian police state, which relies on repressive methods to maintain control. These methods, including intense physical and electronic surveillance of Cubans, are also extended to foreign travelers. Americans visiting Cuba should be aware that any encounter with a Cuban could be subject to surreptitious scrutiny by the Castro regime’s secret police, the General Directorate for State Security (DGSE). Also, any interactions with average Cubans, regardless how well intentioned the American is, can subject that Cuban to harassment and/or detention, and other forms of repressive actions, by state security elements. The regime is strongly anti-American yet desperate for U.S. dollars to prop itself up.

Pretty Damning, no?

In fact, Uncle Sam behaves like an Eastern European Russian Satellite State or an African Dictator with a brainstorm where travel to Cuba is concerned - but the other way round.

And these are the Totalitarian measures that the Land of the Free applies to its own citizens in pursuit of this particular Bee in its Bonnet:

You will obey me:

The Cuban Assets Control Regulations are enforced by the U.S. Treasury Department and affect all U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located, all people and organizations physically in the United States, and all branches and subsidiaries of U.S. organizations throughout the world.

You must be certified to travel to Cuba,

The Regulations require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed to engage in any travel-related transactions related to travel to, from, and within Cuba.

But you can only touch the Evil Empire if it is absolutely necessary:

Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable.

Even if it is at arms length:

This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada.

And we are willing to spend your hard-earned cash enforcing this nonsense:

U.S. law enforcement authorities have increased enforcement of these regulations at U.S. airports and pre-clearance facilities in third countries.

And if you try to act like normal human beings on holiday you will be subject to legal sanctions:

Travelers who fail to comply with Department of Treasury regulations will face civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.

The land of the not quite so free has a special burocracy to control exceptions.

OFAC will issue specific licenses authorizing travel-related transactions incident to one visit lasting no more than 14 days to immediate family members who are nationals of Cuba per three-year period.

They even try to claim the right to control how you visit family members from third countries who happen to be in Cuba:

Travelers wishing to visit an immediate family member in Cuba who is authorized to be in Cuba, but is not a national of Cuba, may be granted a specific license in exigent circumstances provided that the U.S.

Perhaps they had better set up some special regulations for the Central Intelligence Agency, then the CIA would be able to travel to Cuba without making such a comprehensive pig’s ear of it in the process.

Wrapping Up

Now, I agree that Cuba is a totalitarian state that needs to move on to a democratic system, and that Fidel is a monstrous tyrant - but whoever set up and maintains these regulations must be mad.

The single most important point: It don’t work, partner. It just makes you look stoopid.

Suggestion: Dump the faux calico-knocker Try spending all the money on something that will make your country safer.

The fact is that the US Government - if it is going to even pretend to follow the principles it shouts about so loudly - has no business imposing any of the nonsense on anyone, whether they are its own Citizens or not.

Makes you glad to be a European.

Tags: usa, uncle sam, cuba, field castro, travel to cuba, mr president, house of congress, state department, cuba embargo[tags]usa, uncle sam, cuba, field castro, travel to cuba, mr president, house of congress, state department, cuba embargo[/tags]