Spanish/Nat More than 700 U-S citizens risked fines of up to 50-thousand U-S dollars to unlawfully enter Cuba for a world youth festival. The visitors ignored rigid U-S embargoes against the communist island which, in theory, ban nationals from entering Cuban territory, and flew in to take part in the festival. Many arrived via Mexico or Jamaica to avoid U-S jurisdiction, and represented just a fraction of the estimated 20-thousand U-S citizens each year who visit the communist island. Hundreds of U-S citizens in Cuba face penalty fines of several thousand U-S dollars on their return home. Earlier this month, the U-S Treasury Department refused to issue them with travel permits, citing rules against economic transactions by Americans in Cuba. But many decided to fly there anyway. More than 700 joined ten-thousand people from around the world for the 14th World Festival and Conference of Youth and Students in Cuba's capital Havana. Fidel Castro welcomed them on Monday from the steps of Havana University. The event, which runs throughout this week, will be a unique opportunity for Cubans to meet people of more than 100 different nationalities. But for those from the U-S, and South Korea, which also deters nationals from visiting Cuba, the return journey home could be complicated. So worried were they of reprisals that those speaking to the media would only give their first names. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Why am I in Cuba? As a show of solidarity to your country. As a show of support to you, to say that I do not support my country's decision to, of the embargo against your country. In my country, when we go back, we could be arrested or fined for even coming here." SUPER CAPTION: Jeffrey, U-S visitor An estimated 50-thousand families offered their homes to the visitors who each paid 250 U-S dollars to the state, in return for full bed and board. Host families were given larger food rations in order to feed their foreign guests. SOUNDBITE: (English) "They have been an excellent host. They have treated me like family. It is a great feeling actually, to, it is a home away from home, I guess would be a good way of saying it." SUPER CAPTION: Jeffrey, U-S visitor The feeling is mutual. Host families have enjoyed this rare opportunity to meet people from around the world. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) "Q: Don't you feel it is a bit like sleeping with the enemy? A: Well, in this case, I think not. He is a friend just as I said before." SUPER CAPTION: Olimpia Rodriguez, festival host family Some guests came not knowing what sort of living conditions to expect in a country often vilified by their own. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Q: What is it like to live with a Cuban family? A: I like it a lot, me gusto mucho, I like it a lot. It's a lot different from the United States and I think it will be a good experience. It wasn't what I expected and I am really happy with what I have found with my family and with the living situation. And I like it a lot." SUPER CAPTION: Nori, U-S visitor SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) "Q: Have you changed your opinion of them? A: It is the first time and, in reality, yes. It has changed a lot. What they can say and what you can tell you is different to what one, in reality, can see. Definitely. I'm telling you. It is marvellous to have her at home." SUPER CAPTION: Georgina Criado, festival host family Cuba's decision to hold the youth festival revives a tradition of international leftist youth meetings, the last of which was held in North Korea in 1989. The festival opened just two days after the annual Revolution Day speech and carries a strong anti-imperialist theme which is directed mainly against the U-S. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/300f46ac35f47903686de307ffda8399 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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