Cuban Steam and Sugar Mills

Just got a notice from Trains Unlimited Tours about the upcoming 2003 tour to Cuba. Since there had been discussions on Cuban steam on this board in the past. I thought this would be of interest to those who had participated in those discussions.
According to TUT, this will be his last trip to Cuba for the Zafra. He states that the government is shutting down sugar mills at a rapid rate. Sugar mill tracks are being removed and over 100,000 cane cutters are being moved to other professions. Next year the prospect for steam is very dim. More diesels are being brought to the mills.
Also he looking into a rumor that the Cuban Government might be interested in selling some of it's steam locomotives. This would be a interesting development if it is true? Cuba had in the past said all steam locomotives are a national treasure.
So if you want to see sugar cane steam, this may be the year. Also I believe TUT is the only State Department approved direct US to Cuba train tour for use by Americans. Remember in the new world of air travel the prospect of going illegally and being caught is higher. The airlines and US Border patrol are watching passenger lists outside the US. It may not have happened to anyone, but it is a possibility?
Dale Brown
Lima, Peru