CUBA 2025?

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by BlueH2Obound

Any truth to the rumors that Cuba is now accepting applications for Political Asylum from US Citizens suffering persecution from the Gov't?
Sorry, I couldn't help myself . . .

An American can request refugee status, through UNHCR, although it is up to that organization to decided whether the claim is legitimate, and also where the refugee will eventually go; it is never the refugee’s personal choice, and UNHCR does not send refugees to Cuba.

As for asylum, it is apparently possible to travel to Cuba, and just stay there, under circumstances that are not clear; but, it appears that extra points are awarded to entrants who have sufficiently annoyed the US.

Starting in 2004, during the Iraq war, around 30 US soldiers deserted the Army, and came to Canada, and claimed asylum. They argued they were being forced to participate in an illegal war, and that they would face persecution if sent back to the US. All claims were rejected, and they were deported back to the US, where they were court-martialled and served various prison terms.


In a remarkable reversal of the long standing U.S. policy of granting foreign nationals temporary entry into the United States, due to an emergency, and urgent humanitarian reason, or significant public benefit; on January 20, Donald Trump terminated the CHNV humanitarian parole program, ending a program that granted temporary humanitarian protection to Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan nationals, with U.S.-based sponsors.

Trump’s Executive Order “Securing Our Borders” leaves open the possibility for the Secretary of Homeland Security to terminate other parole programs. Furthermore, his Executive Order “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” directs cabinet members to grant parole, only if it aligns with the Administration’s policies.

Through the CHNV parole program, over 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans have lawfully and safely entered the United States [temporailly], with the help of U.S.-based sponsors, after a strict vetting procedure.

“The American Fugitives of Havana” ➥ https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily...ives-of-havana

“SECURING OUR BORDERS” ➥ https://www.whitehouse.gov/president...g-our-borders/
“PROTECTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGAINST INVASION” ➥ https://www.whitehouse.gov/president...inst-invasion/

[caradow]

Another fact check:

I have a friend just now leaving Cienfuegos as i write this.
American dollars regularly accepted by all at a higher rate than the banks give you. He said virtually everyone you meet was asking to change money. The exchange rate with individuals was around 335 Cuban pesos/US dollar. the bank rate was 120 pesos to dollar.

Also Marina accepted cash.

Hope this clears up a few issues.....

[BlueH2Obound]

Originally Posted by caradow

Another fact check:

I have a friend just now leaving Cienfuegos as i write this.
American dollars regularly accepted by all at a higher rate than the banks give you. He said virtually everyone you meet was asking to change money. The exchange rate with individuals was around 335 Cuban pesos/US dollar. the bank rate was 120 pesos to dollar.

Also Marina accepted cash.

Hope this clears up a few issues.....

Hmmmm, not to be nit pickey, but doesn't this a violation of Cuban Law?

If I recall correctly, (please correct me if I am in error) exchanging money outside of the "approved" state agencies, even if the chance of getting caught may not be great, you might be invited to vacation in Cuba for an extended period of time . . . . and don't worry, they'll help find a new owner for your boat as well!

[Wandering1]

Originally Posted by BlueH2Obound

Hmmmm, not to be nit pickey, but doesn't this a violation of Cuban Law?

If I recall correctly, (please correct me if I am in error) exchanging money outside of the "approved" state agencies, even if the chance of getting caught may not be great, you might be invited to vacation in Cuba for an extended period of time . . . . and don't worry, they'll help find a new owner for your boat as well!

Maybe they just like throwing Americans in prison.
We had no problem exchanging Euros or dollars. Everybody there is on the black market.
Totally normal

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by BlueH2Obound

Hmmmm, not to be nit pickey, but doesn't this a violation of Cuban Law?

If I recall correctly, (please correct me if I am in error) exchanging money outside of the "approved" state agencies, even if the chance of getting caught may not be great, you might be invited to vacation in Cuba for an extended period of time . . . . and don't worry, they'll help find a new owner for your boat as well!

Against the law ... yes. but still routine in Cuba on every street corner, as easy as getting a cigar. I lived there for a year and those that could get their hands on a few US dollars could eat quite well while others starved.

[boatman61]

Maybe do the locals a favour, give them the 'bank' rate instead of the 'desperation rate'.
Help them instead of gleefully screwing them like the state you claim is corrupt.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Maybe do the locals a favour, give them the 'bank' rate instead of the 'desperation rate'.
Help them instead of gleefully screwing them like the state you claim is corrupt.

[caradow]

Originally Posted by BlueH2Obound

Hmmmm, not to be nit pickey, but doesn't this a violation of Cuban Law?

If I recall correctly, (please correct me if I am in error) exchanging money outside of the "approved" state agencies, even if the chance of getting caught may not be great, you might be invited to vacation in Cuba for an extended period of time . . . . and don't worry, they'll help find a new owner for your boat as well!

Yes I would not disagree with what you are saying. And I only traded my money at banks. I do not invision rats bitting at my toes at night in some god forsaken dungeon. Yet I came across several people in the government who were also definitely on the make. It was quite common and the law seems to be overlooked, this exchange did not start yesterday.
Desperation is the driving force I would guess.
The same desperation is what drives these young women into prostitution at such early ages. They are just trying to live.
So all those Lambo driving Cubans in South Beach and the politicians who support them should feel proud of themselves.

[GordMay]

President Donald Trump has instructed [1] his top Cabinet officers to review U.S. policy toward Cuba, ordering them to examine current sanctions, and come up with ways to toughen them, within 30 days.

In a memo [1], Monday, Trump said the reviews should focus on Cuba’s treatment of dissidents, its policies directed at dissidents, and restricting financial transactions that “disproportionately benefit the Cuban government, military, intelligence, or security agencies at the expense of the Cuban people.”
The order also said the U.S. should look for ways to shut down all tourism to the island, and to restrict educational tours to groups that are organized and run, only, by American citizens.

“Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Strengthens the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba” ~ The White House [June 30, 2025]
➥ https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/06/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-strengthens-the-policy-of-the-united-states-toward-cuba/

[1] “NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-5" ~ Donald J. Trump
➥ https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/national-security-presidential-memorandum-nspm-5/

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by GordMay

President Donald Trump has instructed [1] his top Cabinet officers to review U.S. policy toward Cuba, ordering them to examine current sanctions, and come up with ways to toughen them, within 30 days.

In a memo [1], Monday, Trump said the reviews should focus on Cuba’s treatment of dissidents, its policies directed at dissidents, and restricting financial transactions that “disproportionately benefit the Cuban government, military, intelligence, or security agencies at the expense of the Cuban people.”
The order also said the U.S. should look for ways to shut down all tourism to the island, and to restrict educational tours to groups that are organized and run, only, by American citizens.

“Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Strengthens the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba” ~ The White House [June 30, 2025]
➥ https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/06/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-strengthens-the-policy-of-the-united-states-toward-cuba/

[1] “NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-5" ~ Donald J. Trump
➥ https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/national-security-presidential-memorandum-nspm-5/

There is only one solution.

[MicHughV]

On the plus side, some years back, I was in Guantanamo Bay for a week or so, and got an opportunity to do some diving along the coast there.

Never in my life have I seen such an abundance of spiny lobsters, all of them the size of a truck tire.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

There is only one solution.

Qué es eso?

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by BlueH2Obound

Hmmmm, not to be nit pickey, but doesn't this a violation of Cuban Law?

If I recall correctly, (please correct me if I am in error) exchanging money outside of the "approved" state agencies, even if the chance of getting caught may not be great, you might be invited to vacation in Cuba for an extended period of time . . . . and don't worry, they'll help find a new owner for your boat as well!

Nah, they likely will just deport you to America by sending you to the Alligator Alcatraz in Florid'uh, but yeah, say bye, bye to the boat.

Reality is one does not really need to exchange US$ or Euro or Canadian$ to CCP as one can typically just pay in the strong currency and the vendors will be glad to receive the hard money. Just don't use the Cuban money means one does not need to exchange for it.

[Montanan]

Cuba Permit Application Process
A vessel of the United States requires a permit from the United States Coast Guard to enter Cuban territorial waters (33 C.F.R. §107). The attached form (CG-3300) must be submitted with complete information before a permit is granted.

Pursuant to the Department of Commerce's new regulation, "Restricting the Temporary Sojourn of Aircraft and Vessels to Cuba" published on June 5, 2019, Coast Guard District 7 will only accept Applications to Enter Cuban Territorial Seas (form CG-3300) that are accompanied by an approved special license from the Department of Commerce.

ALL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE EMAILED TO D7Miami-CubanPermits@uscg.mil or Fax to 305-415-6791 or call 305-415-6820. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks for approval and processing of the permit.

Additionally, please review and ensure compliance with the attached document for Requirements for Vessels Returning from Cuba. This outlines specific requirements for recreational mariners to contact both the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon their return to the United States. Failure to comply may result in delay or denial of entry into the United states.

Forms:

Cuban Permit CG3300

https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Po...-12-113734-117

Cuba UEC COE Requirements Addendum

https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Po...-12-113732-257

The information included in the links below may assist you in completion of the application:

A detailed explanation of these changes can be found in an OFAC FAQ page located at: https://www.treasury.gov/resource-ce...a_faqs_new.pdf

For a complete description of the June 5, 2019 regulation, see
https://www.federalregister.gov/docu...essels-to-cuba.

http://www.treasury.gov/services/Pag...Reporting.aspx http://www.commerce.gov

[davil]

Originally Posted by Montanan

Cuba Permit Application Process
A vessel of the United States requires a permit from the United States Coast Guard to enter Cuban territorial waters (33 C.F.R. §107). The attached form (CG-3300) must be submitted with complete information before a permit is granted.

Pursuant to the Department of Commerce's new regulation, "Restricting the Temporary Sojourn of Aircraft and Vessels to Cuba" published on June 5, 2019, Coast Guard District 7 will only accept Applications to Enter Cuban Territorial Seas (form CG-3300) that are accompanied by an approved special license from the Department of Commerce.

ALL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE EMAILED TO D7Miami-CubanPermits@uscg.mil or Fax to 305-415-6791 or call 305-415-6820. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks for approval and processing of the permit.

Additionally, please review and ensure compliance with the attached document for Requirements for Vessels Returning from Cuba. This outlines specific requirements for recreational mariners to contact both the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon their return to the United States. Failure to comply may result in delay or denial of entry into the United states.

Forms:

Cuban Permit CG3300

https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Po...-12-113734-117

Cuba UEC COE Requirements Addendum

https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Po...-12-113732-257

The information included in the links below may assist you in completion of the application:

A detailed explanation of these changes can be found in an OFAC FAQ page located at: https://www.treasury.gov/resource-ce...a_faqs_new.pdf

For a complete description of the June 5, 2019 regulation, see
https://www.federalregister.gov/docu...essels-to-cuba.

http://www.treasury.gov/services/Pag...Reporting.aspx http://www.commerce.gov

=====================================


I am confused, my understanding always been cannot just show up!!!and doing so will risk being picked up by the USCG on return to the US.
And that is a serious offense!!!
With the loss of the vessel in adition to al other charges that may apply.