Cuba travellers threatened

Wednesday, November 3, 1993 - 11:00

Cuba travellers threatened

On October 17 and 18, most of the 175 US citizens from various walks of life who participated in the Freedom to Travel Campaign were detained by US Customs agents as they returned from a week-long vacation in Cuba.

Officials confiscated gifts and purchases such as videos, newspapers and cassettes, and about 60 passports. In one instance they forced a 14-year-old to remove his shirt and confiscated it because it contained a Cuba solidarity message.

If these people are prosecuted by the US government under the Trading With the Enemy Law, which prohibits US citizens from travelling and spending money in Cuba, they could face 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine each.

The Freedom to Travel Campaign has two demands: no prosecutions and an end to restrictions on travel by US citizens to Cuba.

[New York Transfer news service via Pegasus.]

From GLW issue 121