U.S.: Cuba democracy trips can resume

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Juan O. Tamayo | Miami Herald

The Obama administration has lifted its ban on trips to Cuba to deliver U.S. aid to pro-democracy groups, apparently toughening its posture after Havana's recent abuses, officials said Thursday.

Such trips were halted after the Dec. 3 arrest of Alan P. Gross, a U.S. Agency for International Development subcontractor who had delivered satellite communications equipment to Jewish groups.

The State Department this week notified organizations that receive U.S. funds for Cuban democracy programs that they can resume the trips, said three officials of groups involved in the programs.

``To me, this sends a clear signal that [the Obama administration] is not in agreement with what's going on in the island,'' said one of the officials, who like the others requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Read the complete story at miamiherald.com

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