Us opens travel talks with cuba

The talks began on Monday between state officials, following the biggest policy shift between US and Cuba in half a century. Last December, President Obama revealed that Washington and Havana had held 18 months of talks in secret before announcing that diplomatic ties would be restored between the two nations, ending years of hostility.

The revised travel and trade rules officially came into force at the end of last week, allowing US citizens to use credit cards in Cuba and for Americans to take home up to $100 in alcohol and tobacco.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest told the media that the changes - which include the agreed release of political prisoners by Cuba - would "immediately enable the American people to provide more resources to empower the Cuban population to become less dependent upon the state-driven economy".

At present, tourism is still banned, but US citizens can now visit the island without having to obtain a licence, as long as their journey is for one of 12 reasons, including categories such as educational, religious and humanitarian.

Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security, told USA Today that officials are now negotiating for easier travel, although any changes would not allow more illegal immigration.

"We are in the process of opening up flights, travel from this country to Cuba," he commented. "It's in the works."

Indeed, while Obama's executive powers have instigated a historic Change in the relationship between the two nations, this first measure is a small step in a long journey; US Congress will have to officially approve the complete lift of the trade embargo, which analysts believe will not happen for a long time.

For now, though, Change is in the air, as the US assistant secretary of state visits Cuba for the first time in almost 40 years.

US diplomats are currently not allowed outside of Havana - a restriction also placed upon Cuban officials when visiting Washington - but Roberta Jackson told Reuters they were "looking forward" to the Cubans lifting such curbs.

"It is hard to know exactly what will come out of this first conversation," she added. "I am not oblivious to the weight of history."