Eased U.S. Restrictions on Cuban-American Travel to Cuba Angers Some Cuban-American Lawmakers

President Obama directed his administration Monday to allow unlimited travel and money transfers by Cuban Americans to family in Cuba, a decision that drew quick criticism from two Cuban-American congressmen.  

Presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs and presidential aide Dan Restrepo made the announcement during his daily briefing with reporters, ahead of the president's attendance this weekend at a Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago.

"The president is taking some concrete steps today to bring about some much needed change that will benefit the people of Cuba, that will increase the freedom they have and more importantly to allow Cuban Americans to see their families and send them money," Gibbs said.

"We want to increase the flow among Cubans and between Cubans and the outside world," Restrepo, a special assistant to the president for western hemisphere affairs, said.

Republican Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida and Mario Diaz-Balart -- both of Florida -- called the president's decision a "serious mistake," and decried any policy changes that could bring the Cuban government income while its leadership continues to oppress individual liberties like freedom of speech. 

"President Obama has committed a serious mistake by unilaterally increasing Cuban-American travel and remittance dollars for the Cuban dictatorship," they said in a joint statement.  

"This dictatorship is one of the most brutal in the world," added Florida GOP Rep. Connie Mack. "The U.S. economic embargo must remain in place until tyranny gives way to freedom and democracy. At the same time, we should find ways to strengthen the bonds of families torn apart by the Castro regime simply because of family members who yearn for freedom."

Restrepo said the U.S. is getting out of the business of interfering with Cuban families, as should the Cuban government. 

"We think the positive benefits will weigh outweigh any of the negative effects," Restrepo said. 

Given these changes will benefit the regime in Havana, it would be wise in the implementation to place some reasonable limits on this type of travel and the amounts that can be sent to Cuba.

Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., who is also of Cuban descent, said now that the president has called for more interaction, the administration should work to advance liberties from the Cuban government. 

"The administration is right to call on the Cuban government to end the onerous charge of 20 percent on remittances. Lowering remittance charges and allowing travel for Cuban families wishing to see relatives abroad are two steps the Cuban regime could immediately take that would show change in Havana," he said.

About 1.5 million Americans have relatives on the island nation that turned to communist rule in 1959 when Fidel Castro seized