CANF PRESIDENT FRANCISCO PEPE HERNÁNDEZ
TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS TOMORROW ON
CUBAN AMERICAN TRAVEL AND REMITTANCE RESTRICTIONS
On Thursday, September 18, the Cuban American National Foundation’s President, Francisco “Pepe” Hernandez, will testify before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs regarding US government restrictions on Cuban exile travel and remittances to Cuba. Mr. Hernández will speak on CANF’s efforts to send direct aid to families in Cuba, following the recent hurricanes that have ravaged the island nation.
The day after Hurricane Gustav passed through Cuba, CANF called publicly for a temporary suspension of the US government’s restrictions on Cuban American travel and remittances. This position was reinforced by the subsequent destruction brought on by Hurricane Ike.
Taking concrete action to alleviate the suffering on the island, on September 11, CANF obtained a special OFAC license permitting direct remittances to families in Cuba as part of its hurricane relief efforts and opened its doors to the Cuban American community. By Friday afternoon, September 12, after only two days, the $250,000 license limit had been exhausted. On Monday, September 15, CANF requested another $250,000 extension of this license and is presently awaiting a decision from OFAC.
In 2004, the Bush Administration established new regulations which further restricted the ability of Cuban Americans to travel to the island and send remittances to their families. CANF has opposed these restrictions and consistently argued for their elimination, based on the premise that Cuban exiles are the best agents of democratic change inside Cuba and that these restrictions place unnecessary hardships on families in need inside Cuba.
The hearing will be held before the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight at 10am in Room 2172 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC and is open to the public. For more information regarding the hearing, please contact the House Foreign Affairs Committee at 202-225-5021.
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2 comments:
What is CANF doing to ensure that this aid is actually getting in the hands of those who need it?
Wouldn't the Cuban Gonverment do what it always does and take those funds for themselves?
I believe CANF is sending the money through western union and then the family members go and claim it at one of the 125 offices on the island. I sent 400 dollars to my family and they already received it in its entirity.
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