TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Sunday (Dec. 25) clarified that Taiwanese citizens are permitted to travel to Cuba with a passport valid for over six months and a Cuban Tourist Card, in accordance with Cuban government regulations.
Nevertheless, MOFA advised travelers to either avoid going to Cuba or to verify travel details through the Cuban government's official website or airlines, citing unclear information.
The advisory comes in response to a Central News Agency (CNA) report a day earlier about Danny Yen, a Taiwanese-Canadian, and his family, who were denied entry into Cuba at José Martí International Airport, despite possessing valid visas.
Yen, who resides in Montreal, told CNA that their passports were confiscated by immigration officials and, after a ten-hour wait, they were sent back to Canada.
The reason provided was that "China doesn't recognize Taiwan as a country," in line with the One China policy, which a Cuban official stated makes Taiwan passports unrecognizable.
This occurred despite Yen mentioning other Taiwanese nationals had successfully entered Cuba earlier this year, only to be told of an apparently new policy.
MOFA has instructed its office in Bogota, Colombia, responsible for Cuban affairs, to further investigate this matter. The ministry promises to keep the public informed and is dedicated to ensuring the travel rights of Taiwanese citizens are protected.
