Deadline stirs rush in travel to Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Mon, Jun. 28, 2004



TAKING FLIGHT: Lizette Aparicio, 10, leans on her father, Frank, as they wait in line to check in for their flight to Cuba. At left is Lizette's mother, Terry. PATRICK FARRELL/HERALD STAFF

Deadline stirs rush in travel to Cuba

Many Cuban-Americans are trying to visit their homeland before controversial U.S. restrictions on travel to the island take effect.

BY RICHARD BRAND

[email protected]


On the last Sunday before strict new U.S. regulations on travel to Cuba are to take effect, hundreds of Cuban-Americans lined up at Miami International Airport to get on board flights to the communist island.

Many in the two hour-long check-in lines expressed frustration with the new rules ordered by President Bush, which limit family visits to once every three years instead of annually. Those caught in violation face a $7,500 fine.

The restrictions also have huge political implications in a presidential election year, especially in South Florida, where Bush and presumed Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry are vying for Cuban-American voters. The new regulations go into effect Wednesday.
(snip)

SIPHONING VOTERS

Some Democrats see the controversial restrictions as a political miscalculation on the president's part and an opportunity to siphon some of those Cuban-American votes. Such a shift could be critical in the contest for Florida's 27 electoral votes.

Several Cuban-Americans at the airport Sunday morning said they supported Bush in 2000, but would not vote for him this year.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/9027726.htm
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[colonel odis]

1. guess that's who we're invading next. n/t

[Massacure]

2. The U.S. already tried once to overthrow Castro

You really think they would try a second time? :P