Cuban travel restrictions to be eased

Cuba has eased restrictions on its citizens who want to travel outside the country. The changes are part of reforms promised by President Raul Castro in 2008, CNN reported Tuesday. No longer will a travel permit and a letter of invitation be required. Beginning in January, travelers will only have to present a valid passport and an entry visa for the country to which they want to go. Currently, Cubans have to pay $150 for an exit visa, and someone in the country to which the person wants to travel must write a letter of invitation. Fees for that letter can run as high as $200. Even with the changes, not everyone will be able to travel. There will still be restrictions on moving financial assets out of the country. Intellectuals or people with specialized knowledge will face similar rules to preserve "human capital created by the revolution from the theft of talents practiced by the powerful nations."