As we await news of a potential easing of U.S. travel rules for cultural pursuits in Cuba, it looks like the Cuban government may be loosening things on its end as well. El Nuevo Herald reports that some unlikely Cuban artists will make their way to perform in Miami this fall: rap duo Los Aldeanos, and Silvito el Libre (son of Silvio Rodriguez, who played Carnegie Hall early this summer) will give a concert November 13 at the Miami Dade Auditorium. FundArte and Charity Unlimited are organizing their concert.

Cuban filmaker Alejandro Moya "Iskander", who's in Miami this summer editing a documentary about the two rappers who comprise Los Aldeanos, points out that even though you won't hear the duo on Cuban radio or find their CDs in stores, their underground rap is nonetheless very popular in Havana. Ever Chavez, director of FundArte, describes their lyrics as "honest" and "angry", which he says "reflects their situation. They've been censured, and have seen their shows shut down in their country."

Gisela Hidalgo, from Charity Unlimited, tells El Nuevo Herald, "It's a step forward in the cultural exchange that should exist between the two cities [Miami and Havana], and people-to-people. Five years ago, a grupo like Los Aldeanos wouldn't have been allowed to leave Cuba."

Whether you're a fan of Los Aldeanos or Silvito el Libre or not, this is good news indeed. It shows Havana being pragmatic or fair, or both, and it's just one more indication that we're no longer dealing with Fidel Castro's Cuba. It's time for our policy to reflect that fact, by reaching out to Cubans in and out of government, to build the kind of trust and understanding - including honest disagreement - that we've been missing for decades.