The groups organize solidarity trips to Cuba despite laws restricting travel by U.S. residents there, and without applying for government licenses. Their spokespeople said the groups are asking for court hearings to challenge the fines.

“Those who received OFAC letters in previous years were a scattering of individuals,” Ed Felton of the Venceremos Brigade said. This time, added Lucia Bruno of Pastors for Peace, “Everyone participating in the trips got letters from the Treasury Department.”

Pastors for Peace organizes trips to Cuba to bring items restricted by Washington’s trade and economic embargo against the country, such as medical supplies and computer equipment. The brigade participates in agricultural and construction projects on the island.

Since 2004, OFAC increased the number of notices threatening fines for alleged violation of U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba. Recipients of the letters are informed the penalty will be imposed unless they make a request within 30 days for a “timely hearing.” Several groups and university programs that in the past had obtained U.S. Treasury Department licenses for travel to Cuba for research, humanitarian, and religious purposes have had their licenses suspended under new government regulations.

According to the Miami Herald, in 2004 the government collected $1.5 million in fines from 894 people accused of traveling to Cuba without a license. The Herald also reported January 27 that the Treasury Department had suspended four days earlier the license of La Estrella de Cuba, one of south Florida’s largest Cuba travel agencies, and may take similar action against other such agencies.
 
 
Related articles:
Over 1 million march in Cuba against provocative ‘billboard’ on U.S. Interests Section  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home