Europeans and Cubans with dual nationality who have traveled to Cuba must apply for an entry visa before visiting the United States, according to the provisions of the Government of that country. Citizens of the European Union are usually exempt from a visa and only need an entry permit that they can request at line in the portal of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA, for its acronym in English).
However, as part of the actions to reinforce hostility and the blockade against Cuba, a visit to the Caribbean nation would complicate the process.
“If it is found that a traveler has visited a country designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, the traveler will no longer be eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program and must apply for a visa to enter the United States,” warns the portal of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Recently, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared relevant information about the little-known measure. Its website reads that the requirements are “applicable even for trips made to Cuba and the US separately and in different ways.”
moments”.
The Ministry reported that people must apply for a visa at the Consulate General or Consular Section of the United States Embassy in their place of residence. Tourists from Spain, Germany, France and Italy are part of the largest influx of European travelers that Cuba receives, according to the most recent data published by Tourism Analytics.
The measure that impacts North American tourism is due to the fact that Cuba was spuriously designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the
administration of former President Donald Trump. The government of Joe Biden, last May, once again included the island on the black list along with countries such as Venezuela, Iran, North Korea and Syria.
The classification has received harsh criticism from citizens as well as Cuban political figures. “Even talking to officials of the
(US) government, they see no reason why Cuba should be on the list. They affirm that it is politically difficult for them”, alleged the
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, referring to the US government
(With information from AP)