New Amendments Will Promote Relations between US and Cuba

Washington_ A committee of the US Senate, approved to include four amendments related to the trade opening with Cuba in the bill of fiscal year 2017, Radio Habana Cuba published.

With the two-party support, the Appropriations Committee approved, by 22 votes in favor and eight against, an amendment by Republican John Boozman (Arizona) and Democrat Jon Tester (Montana) to allow US farmers to increase private funding for export of agricultural products to Cuba.

They also approved an amendment to lift the ban on travel to Cuba, led by Democrat Patrick Leahy (Vermont) and Republican Jerry Moran (Kansas).

Another change, sponsored by Democrat Tom Udall the (New Mexico) and Republican Susan Collins (Maine), will allow the export of telecommunications services and authorizes more aircrafts with routes that link with Cuba to refueling.

"The increase of US’ travels already benefit the Cuban people, fed the great expansion of the private sector of the island," James Williams, president of the Engage Cuba organization which favors the opening towards Cuba.

"The prohibition to travel is incompatible with our values as a free society and I am pleased that the Senate Appropriations Committee left
overwhelmingly clear their desire to change that, "he added.

Since the announcement of the policy of rapprochement between the United States and Cuba at the end of 2014, the US government takes steps to relax certain restrictions in its relations with the Island, however, the total lifting of the commercial blockade depends on the US Congress.