For the first time in more than a half-century, Cuba says it will allow most citizens to travel abroad without having to seek government approval. Cubans no longer have to apply for exit visas or provide a letter of invitation to travel abroad.
Analysts are calling it the biggest step so far in a gradual relaxation of restrictions on things like running private small businesses, owning cellphones, staying in tourist hotels, and buying and selling homes and cars.
Cuban-American Eddie Balzola weighed in on the news at Versailles restaurant in Little Havana.
"Anything that is more freedom for humanity is always a good thing no matter where. People should have the freedom to travel and go and come where they please in every country", said Balzola.
The measure also extends the amount of time Cubans can remain abroad from 11 to 24 months, and they can request an extension when that runs out.
Juan Tomayo writes for the El Nuevo Herald. He says this move has been in the works for about two years.
"There have been warnings in the past from people who have said that Cuba needs to sort of open the taps a little bit on immigration because the economy is suffering, unemployment is rising, the revenues, the resources are scarce”, Tomayo said. “In fact, there was a University of Miami professor who wrote a column talking about a legal Mariel exodus."
Tomayo says the new rules could mean more Cubans come to the United States through Mexico and Canada.
But, there is a catch. The Cuban government still plans to put limits on travel within unspecified sectors of the population. Doctors, scientists, members of the military and others considered valuable parts of society currently face restrictions on travel to combat brain drain.