QUESTION: Do recent regulation changes impact CCT?
Do recent changes in U.S. Department of Treasury regulations (enacted June 5th, 2019) impact the ability of Caribbean Conservation Trust to conduct authorized trips to Cuba?
ANSWER: NO!
The Caribbean Conservation Trust (CCT) authorization to continue traveling legally to Cuba is not impacted by recent rule changes (June 5, 2019). Our long history of compliance with the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and our conservation work in Cuba are the reason for this.
- We have survived much more challenging times, during 8 years of the Bush Administration for example. At that time we were the only U.S. organization allowed to travel legally to Cuba to survey birds and habitat in Cuba. OFAC regulations during these years were much more strict and limiting. Should regulations continue to be tightened, we anticipate the next step to include a rigorous application process, with which we have a long history of success.
- It was not until early 2015 that the ability of US organizations to travel easily to Cuba became a reality.
- Non – U.S. based organizations can not provide OFAC authorization to visit Cuba to U.S. Citizens.
- Unfortunately for the Cuban people, and for perhaps the majority of previously licensed travel organizations to Cuba, many U.S. Citizens will not be able to visit as a result of these changes.
- We have never used People to People licensing – the most common form of authorization for U.S. based Cuba travel.
- Cuba has long been an exceptionally safe destination for visitors, despite rumors and tall tales to the contrary.
