Visa trouble for Cuban musicians

Cuba complained Thursday that the U.S. government has denied visas to Cuban Grammy nominees who wanted to attend Sunday’s awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

All five nominees for this year’s Grammy for best traditional tropical Latin album are Cuban musicians who live on the communist-run island. They include Ibrahim Ferrer of Buena Vista Social Club fame, lute player Barbarito Torres and timbalero percussionist Amadito Valdes.

Officials in Cuban President Fidel Castro’s government said the musicians were denied requested visas under U.S. immigration regulations barring entry to the United States of people considered a threat to its national security.

U.S. diplomats in Havana declined to comment.