Cuba Travel FAQs: U.S. State Department’s Travel Warning

The U.S. State Department recently issued a travel warning for Cuba following some undetermined “health attacks” on embassy employees.  We are aware of the travel warning and understand your concerns.

1. The State Department issued a travel warning. What does this mean?
   • In the interest of informing and protecting U.S. citizens, the State Department regularly issues travel alerts, warnings and bans:
     • Travel Alerts (short term occurrences such as a labor strike)
     • Travel Warnings (long term issues such as civil war, government instability, violence, health and safety issues)
     • Travel Bans (travel is forbidden)
   • As a matter of comparison, we can look at the destinations that are frequented by us and our colleagues in the travel industry to see what risks we typically take when we travel:
     • Travel Alert for the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic and Pacific Ocean: Hurricane and Typhoon Season 2017
     • Travel Warning for Mexico: Violent crimes, homicide, kidnapping, carjacking
     • Travel Alert for Europe: Threat of terrorist attacks, specifically to tourists and areas of tourism from ISIS and al-Qa’ida

2. Is the U.S. Embassy in Cuba closing?
   • No. All non-emergency personnel and families are being asked to leave until the issue is resolved.
   • U.S. travelers to Cuba will still have embassy personnel available to assist with travel emergencies.
   • The decision to keep the Embassy open is significant in that it indicates the State Department’s trust that the Cuban government is not responsible for these actions.
     “The Trump administration has pointedly not blamed Cuba for perpetrating the attacks. Officials involved in the deliberations said the administration weighed the best way to minimize potential risk for Americans in Havana without unnecessarily harming relations between the countries. Rather than describe it as punitive, the administration will emphasize Cuba’s responsibility to keep diplomats on its soil safe.” (Chicago Tribune, Sept. 29, 2017)
     
3. The article I read says that no more visas will be issued. Is this true?
   • No, this applies to Cubans seeking U.S. Visas for to travel to the U.S. only.
     “Cubans seeking visas to enter the U.S. may be able to apply through embassies in nearby countries, officials said.” (Chicago Tribune, Sept. 29, 2017)
     
4. What exactly happened and why?
   • U.S. diplomats (and one Canadian diplomat) have experienced specific attacks that have damaged their hearing, among other things. Some individuals have experienced very significant issues, including concussion and nerve damage.
   • The cause has not been determined. The responsible party has not been determined.
   • The ‘specific attacks’ first began almost one year ago and did not make public news until August 2017. During this entire time, American tourists have been traveling to Cuba, not targeted, and unaffected.
     
5. Should we still travel to Cuba?
   • Planners and clients should employ the same risk / benefit analysis that normally accompanies any travel decision.
   • A decision to travel to Cuba should be considered just as one considers bringing clients to Mexico (potential situations of high risk and danger specifically targeted to American tourists), bringing clients to Europe (potential situations of high risk and danger specifically targeted to American tourists) or bringing clients to the Caribbean during hurricane season (Irma and Maria).

We hope this clarifies matters and answers any necessary questions. CITA is in no way trying to minimize your concerns or the attacks on U.S. diplomats. If we can provide any additional information, please contact Casey Lazar, Director of Client Services.