Beyonce And Jay-Z's Trip To Cuba Was Legal

Beyonce and Jay-Z's fifth wedding anniversary trip to Cuba last year has been ruled legal by the US Treasury Department.

The superstar couple spent four days in the Caribbean island's capital Havana in April 2013 where they dined in expensive restaurants and Jay-Z enjoyed Cuban cigars.

Their visit attracted huge crowds of fans, which prompted criticism from Republican politicians who questioned whether the couple broke a travel embargo.

Washington's 51-year ruling makes it illegal for US citizens to visit Cuba for mere tourism, although tens of thousands of Americans travel to the island each year on academic, religious, journalistic or cultural exchange licences.

But the Treasury's inspector general has determined that the couple's trip was educational because they visited an art school and local theatre group.

Americans who fail to comply with the laws could face "civil penalties and criminal prosecution", according to the US Treasury.

Fines of $250,000 (£151,000) and up to 10 years in prison are possible.

Beyonce and Jay-Z married privately in 2008 and had a baby girl, named Blue Ivy Carter, in January 2012.

The pair have just finished their joint On The Run tour in the US.