The U.S. and Cuba just made it easier for Americans to send money to Cuba, and cheaper.
Last week, President Obama lifted some of the banking sector sanctions on Cuba, and gave the island nation access to the international banking system for the first time in decades. Western Union announced Monday that it would open remittance services to Cuba.
“It is a significant announcement that truly captures the spirit of the administration’s new opening with Cuba,” the Americas Society/Council of the Americas stated. “Western Union’s ability to facilitate remittances from throughout the world to Cuba is a game changer in empowering Cubans and supporting their everyday lives and entrepreneurial activities.”
And in return, Havana budged as well and agreed to lift the 10 percent penalty on U.S. dollar exchanges on the communist island.
It’s just some of the changes that federal agencies and business are allowing in the wake of the Obama administration’s decision to ease trade and travel rules. The changes also marked Obama’s historic visit to Cuba this week.
Also on Monday, the White House outlined new cooperation with Cuba on combatting climate change. And the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration unveiled a memorandum of understanding with Havana regarding maritime safety.
“NOAA has a strong interest in both improving navigational safety and in protecting the marine environment in the heavily travelled and vibrant waters between our two countries in the Straits of Florida,” stated NOAA’s Russell Callender.
The agreement calls for cooperation in the areas of hydrography, oceanography, geodesy and “related services of mutual interest,” NOAA stated.
One of the first initiatives under the memo will be improving the accuracy of electronic and paper charts showing south Florida, the Bahamas and north Cuba.
Obama’s policy pronouncements went smoother than his public appearance did with Cuban President Raul Castro, who castigated the United States on human rights as he stood next to the president, after which the two men engaged in an awkward handshake.
