Obama to ease Cuba travel restrictions

The move would fulfill one of Obama's campaign promises and could herald improved ties between the two longtime foes, though the new administration has made clear it is not ready to lift Washington's decades-old trade embargo on Cuba.

Obama's new policy, a softening of the Bush administration's more hardline approach, will ease limits on family travel and cash remittances between the United States and Cuba, the official said.

Cubans living in the United States are currently allowed to travel to the island only once a year and are limited to send only $1,200 per person in cash to needy family members in Cuba.

Obama's gesture appeared intended to signal a new attitude towards both Cuba and other Latin American countries that have pressed Washington to end a trade embargo that has sought to isolate Havana for more than four decades.

It also comes ahead of Obama's attendance at a Summit of the Americas in Trinidad later this week.

Obama could face some resistance in Congress, especially from opposition Republicans.

Representatives Frank Wolf and Chris Smith last week urged Obama to insist that Cuba release all political detainees before the United States moves to relax trade and travel restrictions.

During last year's presidential campaign, Obama favoured easing of some U.S. limits on family travel and remittances, but said he would not eliminate the trade embargo until Cuba shows progress towards democracy and greater human rights.

(Reporting by Matt Spetalnick, Editing by Sandra Maler)