Cuban foreign minister meets with Democratic leader
HAVANA-. A note published on the official website of the Foreign Ministry of Cuba (MINREX) reports that Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Wednesday morning met with Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, the minority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives.
She was accompanied by representatives Elliot Engel of New York; Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut; Collin Peterson of Minnesota; Anna Eshoo of California; Nydia Velázquez of New York; Jim McGovern of Massachusetts; Steve Israel of New York, and David Cicilline of Rhode Island.
According to the note, the meeting dealt with “issues of interest within the current context of relations between the two nations, including the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, the opening of embassies, and the debate in the U.S. Congress to end the blockade against Cuba.”
Pelosi and her eight colleagues arrived Monday (Feb. 16) in the Cuban capital and qualify as the first official delegation from the United States Congress to step on Cuban soil after the speeches of Presidents Raúl Castro Ruz and Barack Obama last Dec. 17, in which they announced the start of talks aimed at re-establishing diplomatic relations. The United States suspended its relations with the island in January 1961.
A statement issued by the delegation says that they “will work to advance the U.S.-Cuba relationship and build on the work done by many in the Congress over the years, especially with respect to agriculture and trade.”
The visit contemplates not only the official meetings already held but also contacts with the civilian society, such as a meeting with Roman Catholic Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino, Archbishop of Havana. On Thursday (Feb. 19), they will hold a press conference.
“Both the recently ended visit by three senators and the visit of the representatives have exhibited a respectful and cordial tone,” opined analyst Jesús Arboleya.
“This is an initiative by an important group of members of Congress aimed at taking the issue of [formal] relations to Congress and demonstrate that there is consensus within the Obama administration,” Arboleya said.
“They also represent important and specific local interests and will mobilize to expedite a change in policy and renewed relations with Cuba.”
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