The Obama administration announced this week that they will implement a series of changes in U.S. policy toward Cuba as a first step toward bridging relationships between the two nations. Policy changes in regards to U.S.-Cuba relationships include the lifting of all restrictions on transactions related to the travel of family members to Cuba, the removal of restrictions on the transmittal of money to family members in Cuba, the authorization of U.S. telecommunications’ network providers to make agreements to establish fiber-optic cable and satellite communications facilities that link the U.S. and Cuba, and the addition of certain humanitarian items to the list of items eligible for export to Cuba.

In a press release announcing these changes, the White House stated, "In taking these steps to help bridge the gap among divided Cuban families and promote the freer flow of information and humanitarian items to the Cuban people, President Obama is working to fulfill the goals he identified both during his presidential campaign and since taking office."

The White House believes that, through provisions that enable the strengthening of relationships between Cuban Americans and their families in Cuba, we can foster the beginnings of grassroots democracy in that nation. "There are no better ambassadors for freedom than Cuban Americans," the press release stated. "Accordingly, President Obama will direct the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and Commerce to support the Cuban people’s desire for freedom and self-determination by lifting all restrictions on family visits and remittances as well as taking steps that will facilitate greater contact between separated family members in the United States and Cuba and increase the flow of information and humanitarian resources directly to the Cuban people."