Washington has granted former U.S. President Jimmy Carter permission to visit Cuba. 

The former president's foundation, the Carter Center, said Tuesday the Treasury Department granted him a license to travel and he is planning a trip for mid-May. But the Center said the exact date is not confirmed. U.S. travel restrictions on U.S. citizens prevent them from spending money in Cuba, effectively creating a travel ban. 

Cuban President Fidel Castro recently re-extended an invitation for Mr. Carter to visit. 

Mr. Carter supports ending the travel restrictions and opposes the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba. 

Many U.S. farmers also support ending the trade embargo. But many Cuban-Americans oppose any changes in U.S. policy toward Fidel Castro's government. 

Cuba maintains a one-party political system, and the Bush administration sees a visit by Mr. Carter as an opportunity to discuss alleged human rights abuses. 

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters. 

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