Over a seven year period President Obama made significant advances in small steps that allowed next steps to occur toward normalization of relations with Cuba. A series of low and high profile events we were privy too as they occurred that led up to the announcement to visit Cuba as the first sitting President to do so in 88 years. For those relentlessly active in the process on the "Cuba issue" that support we had always provided for positive change over 20 years continued during this 7 year period, time and those steps. To make it simple, it wasn't. The number of regulatory changes too numerous (and often complex) to mention here. This included open action and secret meetings leading up to the announcement in December 2014 and the visit that ends today. I have to say after 20 years working towards this end and watching Air force One touch down at Jose Marti International Airport was nothing short of astounding.

The most recent Presidential regulatory changes will make it significantly easier and more affordable for individual U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba, increase Cuba's access to international markets, permit Cuban entities to carry out transactions in dollars, allow Cuban citizens to earn salaries in the United States, removed 10% exchange on U.S. dollars, allow investment in Cuba, create entrepreneurial opportunity for Americans with Cubans and drop the ban on Cuban ports security. Remember that its not all about Cubans, its about Cubans and Americans. Our right to travel where we want and business opportunities we should have had years ago as friends and neighbors. That required visionary leadership; something we had been lacking for quite some time until this President.

Leaders are often faced with decisions to make and promises to keep in the face of some adversity that are in the countries best interest because it is the right thing to do and best for America.

(from our friends at Cuba Central) "In 2007, President Obama made bold promises to reform Cuba policy as a candidate to the American people and then did the unexpected. He kept his word".

Great Presidents do such things.
JA Ensminger