There are exceptions. In laymen's terms, it must appear to a U.S. Customs agent on your return trip that you didn't spend any money on food or lodging while you were in Cuba. Luckily, our group of 17 students, one instructor and a chaperone had no problems getting in or out of the country. In Cuba, there is no commercial advertising. Because it is a socialist country, people are assigned jobs through the government and food is rationed.
People have very little money to spend.
There are no billboards for Nike or online companies, but other messages abound. And other billboards, posters, murals and flags were celebrating each year of freedom since the Cuban revolution. His mother and 10 other passengers died when the boat they were taking to the United States sank. Elian was picked up by the U.S. Coast Guard and brought to Miami, where he is residing with a great-uncle. Still, people in Cuba claim the boy was kidnapped.