After the recent expulsion of 14 Cuban diplomats accused of espionage, and the increasing restrictions on travel to Cuba, the future of U.S. relations with Cuba looks bleak.  The rising tensions result not only from the allegations against the Cuban diplomats, but from a series of events.  These events include the March announcement by the Treasury Department that it would eliminate “people-to-people” educational licenses, as well as the arrest, trial, and imprisonment of 78 Cuban dissidents charged with conspiracy based on alleged collaboration with the U.S. Interests Section in Havana. 

On April 30, the “Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2003” was introduced in the U.S. Senate with 11 co-sponsors. Shortly thereafter, an identical bill was introduced in the House of Representatives with 55 co-sponsors.  These bills would permanently lift restrictions on travel to Cuba, which, according to supporters of the bills, is a necessary policy change if the U.S. is to push for improved human rights conditions in Cuba.

View the 1995 Churchwide Assembly resolution on Cuba.