US, Cuba to resume mail service this year; other steps near

The Treasury and Commerce Departments say the rules go into effect September 21, simplifying procedures for tourism, telephone and Internet business and money transfers to the island.

The Obama administration announced wide-ranging new rules on Friday to further ease trade, travel and investment restrictions with Cuba, the latest effort to chip away at the long-standing USA economic embargo amid a thaw between the former Cold War foes. At a meeting in Havana last week, delegations from each side established a roadmap toward settling a half-century of economic and legal disputes within the next 15 months. Washington has yet to name an ambassador to Cuba.

President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro have spoken by phone about progress normalizing relations between their countries.

While hard questions related to human rights and compensation claims won’t be resolved immediately, the official said first steps toward a broader normalization of ties would come quickly.

Under the new regulations, certain US companies may now have a physical presence on the island, such as an office, retail store or warehouse.

“We urge Cuban leaders to lift restrictions prohibiting their citizens from fully benefiting from the expanded access to USA goods, services and know-how that is now within their reach”, executive director Ric Herrero said in a statement.

Bacardi, the largest privately held spirits maker in the world, was among the most successful companies in Cuba before its Cuban assets were seized by the government and its founders exiled in the 1960s.

And US airlines are still not allowed to sell tickets for Cuba flights, though they can operate the aircraft for charter outfits authorized to sell travel to Cuba for travelers meet one of the approved categories.

Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez today will present, before the local and foreign media, the annual report “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”. Direct mail between the countries was halted in 1963, although letters and packages can be sent via intermediary countries (typically Canada or Mexico).

The postal program will use the Miami and Havana airports, the official said.

Companies will also be able to import Cuban mobile applications to the United States and hire Cuban nationals to work on them.