Cuba ? Peace activists visiting Cuba to protest the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay expressed hope Sunday that the new Democratic congressional leadership will help ease long-standing U.S. trade and travel sanctions against the communist-run island.

“I think it is about time we end the embargo and open up relations between the Cuban and American people,” said Cindy Sheehan, who became an anti-war protester after her 24-year-old son, Casey, was killed in Iraq in April 2004. “It hurts both sides.”

U.S. restrictions bar most Americans from spending money in Cuba, effectively preventing them from traveling here legally. The restrictions also bar virtually all trade between the countries, except for some U.S. sales of food and medicine to the island.

Sheehan has drawn attention by camping outside President Bush’s ranch to protest the war and has been arrested during demonstrations. She drew criticism from some Democrats recently for joining with other protesters to shout down a party news conference in Washington.