Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvltxt/CUBA.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 8KB | 134 lines

Cuba - Consular Information Sheet
September 8, 1994

Country Description: Cuba is a developing country under the communist rule
of Fidel Castro.  The United States has no direct diplomatic relations with
Cuba.

Entry Requirements/Travel Transaction Limitations: The Cuban Assets Control
Regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department require that persons subject to
U.S. jurisdiction be licensed to engage in any transactions related to
travel to, from and within Cuba.  Transactions related to tourist and
business travel are not licensable.  This restriction includes tourist or
business travel from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada.

Visitors who attempt to enter Cuba without the proper documentation are
subject to detention and arrest by the Cuban government.

Transactions are authorized by general license for U.S. and foreign
government officials, including representatives of international
organizations of which the United States is a member, traveling on official
business and journalists regularly employed by a news reporting
organization.  The Treasury Department will consider specific licenses on a
case-by-case basis for humanitarian travel, including cases of extreme
hardship relating to close relatives, telecommunications activities and
travel in connection with professional research.  Additional information may
be obtained by contacting the Licensing Division, Office of Foreign Assets
Control at the U.S. Department of the Treasury (202/622-2480).  Failure to
comply with these regulations could result in civil penalties and criminal
prosecution upon return to the United States.

Should a traveler receive a license, a passport and visa are required for
entry to Cuba.  For current information of Cuban entry and customs
requirements, travelers may contact the Cuban Interests Section, an office
of the Cuban government located at 2630 and 2639 16th Street N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20009, tel: [phone].

Entry and exit into Cuba is strictly controlled by Cuban authorities.
Attempts to enter or exit Cuba illegally, or to aid the illegal exit of
Cuban nationals are punishable by jail terms of up to 5 years.

Medical Facilities: Medical care does not meet U.S. standards.  Many U.S.
medications are unavailable.  It is useful for travelers to Cuba to bring
with them any prescribed medicine which is for their personal use.  A copy
of the prescription and a letter from the physician explaining the need for
prescription drugs will facilitate entry into the country.  U.S. medical
insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  Supplemental
medical insurance providing specific overseas coverage has proved useful.
Information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease
Control's international travelers hotline at [phone].

Crime Information: The continued deterioration in the Cuban economy has led
to an increase in crimes directed against foreigners.  Foreigners are prime
targets for purse snatchings, pickpocketing and thefts from hotel rooms,
particularly at beaches, historic sites and other attractions.  For up-to-
date information, contact the American Citizens Services unit at the U.S.
Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy, located in Havana at Calzada between
L&M, Vedado; telephone 33-3550 through 33-3559.

The loss or theft of a U.S. passport overseas should be reported to the
local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  U.S. citizens can
refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" which
provides useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal
security while traveling abroad.  Both this pamphlet and "Tips for Travelers
to the Caribbean" are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402.

Currency Regulations (Cuba): Since the Cuban government legalized the use of
dollars in July 1993, U.S. dollars are accepted for all transactions.

Currency Regulations (U.S.):  Only official government travelers traveling
on official business, including representatives of international
organizations of which the United States is a member, and journalists may
spend money on travel to Cuba without obtaining special permission from the
Treasury Department; such expenditures may only be for travel-related
expenses at a rate not exceeding $100 per day.  U.S. Treasury Department
regulations now prohibit remittances, including family remittances, without
a specific license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control.  The only
exception is the transfer of up to $500 for travel expenses for a Cuban
national who has been granted an immigrant visa by the State Department.
For further information, travelers may contact the Office of Foreign Assets
Control.

Credit Card Restrictions: U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens are
prohibited from using credit cards in Cuba.  U.S. credit card companies will
not accept vouchers from Cuba, and Cuban shops, hotels and other places of
business do not accept U.S. credit cards.  Personal checks drawn on U.S.
banks may not be accepted in Cuba.  Travelers checks are sometimes
acceptable, however.

Dual Nationality: The government of Cuba considers all Cuban-born U.S.
citizens to be solely Cuban citizens.  The Cuban government does not
recognize the right or obligation of the U.S. government to protect dual
U.S./Cuban citizens and has consistently denied U.S.consular officers the
right to visit incarcerated dual U.S./Cuban nationals to ascertain their
welfare and proper treatment under Cuban law.  Dual U.S./Cuban nationals are
required by Cuban law to enter and depart Cuba using Cuban passports.  Using
a Cuban passport for this purpose does not jeopardize one's U.S.
citizenship; however, such persons must use their U.S. passports to enter
and depart the U.S. and to transit any countries en route.  Dual U.S./Cuban
nationals may be subject to a range of restrictions and obligations,
including military service, in Cuba.

Restriction on Photography: Photographing military or police installations
or personnel, or harbor, rail and airport facilities is forbidden.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Penalties for the possession, use, and dealing of
illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail
sentences.  Those accused of drug-related and other crimes can expect
lengthy legal proceedings and delayed due process.

U.S. Representation/Registration: The United States does not maintain an
Embassy in Cuba.  U.S. citizens who travel to Cuba may contact and register
with the U.S. Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy, located in Havana at
Calzada between L&M, Vedado; telephone 33-3550 through 33-3559.  There is no
access to the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo from within Cuba.  U.S. citizens
who register at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana may obtain updated
information on travel and security within the country.  Transportation and
communication within Cuba, including Havana, can be extremely difficult.

Telephone service within Cuba and between Cuba and the United States is
poor.  It may therefore be difficult for the U.S. Interests Section in
Havana to assist distressed U.S. citizens, should an emergency arise.

No. 94-215

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated May 27, 1993 to add
information concerning additional restrictions on travel to and financial
transactions with Cuba, entry requirements, crime information, and currency
regulations (Cuba).