Updated

The Obama administration announced during today's White House briefing that restrictions on family member travel to Cuba will be lifted.   Family members are being defined as those persons within three degrees of family relationship (e.g. second counsins).   Restrictions have also been lifted on the frequency and duration of those visits as well as the amount of money families transfer to Cuba.   Family members will be allowed to travel with up to $3,000 in cash with them twhen they enter the country.

Florida Senator Mel Martinez (R) criticized the administration's actions by saying these new changes will only benefit the Cuban regime and "reasonable limits" should be placed on the unlimited travel and monetary transfers.

President Obama leaves mid-week to travel to the region for the Summit of the America's.

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