The head of the American Farm Bureau, representing 5.5 million USA farmers has called for unfettered travel to Cuba by USA citizens as well as private financing of agriculture sales to Cuba. Under current law, sales to Cuba must be "cash only". The Bush Administration is unlikely to support further easing of the USA Embargo until substantial changes internally in Cuba are adopted. Increased enforcement of USA laws pertaining to Cuba travel was started in 2004 and continues through 2008.

Director Steven Spielberg was the guest of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Arts and Industry during the first week of November, 2002. He met with admirers, members of the Jewish community and President Castro before returning to the USA.

The European Parliament's Conference of Presidents has announced Oswaldo Paya, founder of the Varela Project, as its 2002 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought winner. Paya was given a last minute visa to go to Europe to receive the award where he also criticized USA policy towards Cuba.

Cuba recently hosted Agriculture and Healthcare related companies in Havana during September. Cuba purchased almost $100 million dollars of USA goods and services. The event was licensed by the USA Departments of the Treasury and Commerce. Future events are "on hold" due to the New Cuba initiatives from the Bush Administration following the arrest and jailing of Cuban dissidents.

The U.S. Interests Section in Habana, adjacent to Hotel Nacional on the Malecon, has stepped up its activities to promote democracy and peaceful change in Cuba. Cuban journalists are allowed access to uncensored Internet inside the Interests Section and the people are given short wave radios capable of tuning in non-Cuban based radio stations, including Radio Marti.

The Association of Travel-Related Industry Professionals [ATRIP], formed last June, is heading the lobbying efforts to lift the travel ban. The industry's argument: Easing restrictions could boost the U.S. economy in the long term by as much as $1.6 billion annually and create as many as 23,000 new jobs.

Fidel Castro has resigned the majority of his positions within the Cuban government effective February 24, 2008. It is unlikely Cuba will pursue improved relations with the USA under the Bush presidency. A new USA president in 2009 may make significant progress in better USA Cuba relations.