§6004 Support for Cuban People

Summary

Allows the U.S. government to let certain aid and services reach the Cuban people even if other laws or earlier emergency actions (including ones taken before October 23, 1992) would otherwise stop them. Donations of food to Cuban charities or to individuals are allowed. Medicines and medical supplies can be exported unless restricted by specific export laws, or if there is a real chance they would be used for torture or other rights abuses, likely to be sent to another country, or could help make biotechnical products. Exports of medical items normally need U.S. government licenses and the President must be able to check, by onsite checks and other means, that the items go only to the intended medical uses and benefit the Cuban people. That verification rule does not apply to donated medicines given to Cuban nongovernmental organizations for humanitarian purposes. Telecommunications between the United States and Cuba are allowed, and enough facilities may be provided to make service work well. The President can allow licenses for full or partial payment to Cuba for those services, but blocked accounts under prior rules cannot be emptied. Any money kept back must be held in a blocked U.S. bank account. The Federal Communications Commission still keeps its authority. U.S. persons may not invest in Cuba’s domestic phone network (investment includes donations and loans). The President must tell Congress every six months about payments made to Cuba for such services. The U.S. Postal Service must run direct mail to and from Cuba, using charter carriers if needed. The U.S. government may give aid through NGOs to support people and groups that promote nonviolent democratic change in Cuba.