In April 2009 , Obama , who had received nearly half of the Cuban Americans vote in the 2008 presidential election , began implementing a less strict policy towards Cuba . Obama stated that he was open to dialogue with Cuba , but that he would only lift the trade embargo if Cuba underwent political change . In March 2009 , Obama signed into law a congressional spending bill which eased some economic sanctions on Cuba and eased travel restrictions on Cuban-Americans ( defined as persons with a relative " who is no more than three generations removed from that person " ) traveling to Cuba . The April executive decision further removed time limits on Cuban-American travel to the island . Another restriction loosened in April 2009 was in the realm of telecommunications , which would allow quicker and easier access to the internet for Cuba . The loosening of restrictions is likely to help nonprofits and scientists from both countries who work together on issues of mutual concern , such as destruction of shared biodiversity and diseases that affect both populations . At the 2009 5th Summit of the Americas , President Obama signaled the opening of a new beginning with Cuba
5th Summit of the Americas
5th Summit of the Americas
Cuba–United States relations