Cuba relaxes travel restrictions

(Vatican Radio) Cubans leaving the country will no longer have to undergo the hassle of trying to gain exit permits. The reform is scheduled to take effect beginning in mid-January.

This major amendment in Cuba’s migration law means that Cubans won’t have to go through all the red tape of getting that permit before travelling abroad. Individuals can now stay away for two years, before they have to return to Cuba to update their papers.

This important reform shows a relaxation of a hitherto rigid requirements, and helps many Cubans who work in other countries to gain much needed income for their families. It however doesn’t apply to professionals such as engineers and doctors which Cuba is determined to retain.

Since Raul Castro replaced his brother Fidel as President in 2008, gradual reforms, especially in the economic sphere have been introduced, without major concessions to the overall structure of communism in the Island.

Cuba continues to suffer hardship because of the more than half century economic blockade Washington rigidly maintains.

The US grants residency rights to any Cuban who sets foot on dry land within its territory.

Listen to James Blears' report: