They went. They saw. They see the potential.
That seems the consensus of those who were part of that 37-person delegation, organized by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, that recently returned from a trip to Cuba. The group traveled under a people-to-people license, more akin to a tourist visit than a business trip. But it did include opinion-shaping business execs, members of Tampa City Council, TIA CEO Joe Lopano and USF President Judy Genshaft. No, they weren’t cutting deals. They were privy to exotic vistas; crumbling architectural beauty; hospitable, proud people; and a Rube Goldbergesque, evolving economy.
As Tod Leiweke, the CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning, told the Tribune: “…And there is this amazing connection to Tampa. These have been four of the most amazing days in my life.”
Such visceral experiences–from reminders of the Tampa-Havana nexus to the sheer geographical proximity–will hopefully expedite the refashioning of those historical links. After too little attention for too long, this visitation has to be a jump-starter, however frustratingly belated, for something more than incremental progress and chamber good will.
We’re talking serious trade missions, because there’s more potential, trade embargo notwithstanding, for the Port of Tampa. Ask Corpus Christi and Mobile. Candidly, Congresswoman Kathy Castor needs serious reinforcement from those who represent Tampa’s very vested interests. The congressional delegation (thanks, again, Reps. Wasserman-Schultz, Ros-Lehtinen, Diaz-Balart & Co.) and the Tallahassee ideologues are no help.
Going forward, the Tampa connection will be the key. But it’s only a leg up–especially this late in the game–if it’s fully taken advantage of.
The Cubans are well aware of the history. Before there was Miami and vendetta agendas, there was Tampa and proud Cuban roots. This is where Teddy Roosevelt prepped for San Juan Hill and where José Martí–as well as Fidel Castro–came to raise funds and consciousness. Ybor City, a literal extension of iconic Cuban cigar making, even has a sliver of land that is still sovereign Cuba–in Parque Amigos de José Martí.
Prior to the 1959 revolution, more than 50 percent of all American exports into Havana came via the Port of Tampa. Back in the day, the cruise business meant Tampa-Havana. Tampa–not just Santo Trafficante–also got hammered by the revolution.
More than any other city, Tampa has the most to gain with improved–and inevitably normalized–relations with the island nation. But for too long not enough key movers and shakers and decision-makers seemed to know that. Or knowing that, were too easily deterred from doing anything by exile-related politics.
The tide is obviously turning, but not all ports will be lifted equally as it rises. Tampa can’t afford to look like a generic opportunist trying to cash in–ironically–on a “new” market.
One more thing. Tampa is in that rare position of needing to do the right thing for a multitude of right reasons. Enlightened self-interest has rarely been more applicable. The more proactive this area is, the better the chance for trade-related jobs and additional Cuban-American travel options via TIA. Obviously.
But there’s also this: If the state and the region with the most to benefit by expanded relations with Cuba isn’t pushing the envelope, the big folders in Washington have less reason to listen to reason. And reason means jettisoning the Cold War-relic embargo, removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and freeing up all Americans to travel there. It also means relinquishing our dubious distinction of being the only country in the Western Hemisphere without relations with Cuba, removing the scapegoat status of the U.S. as the cause of Cuba’s dysfunctional economy and doing the humane thing for the Cuban people who deserve better.
From narrow self-interest to helping extricate the U.S. from a hypocritical geopolitical posture, there’s a lot at stake with maxing out on the Tampa-Cuba connection. It will be noted as much in Washington as Havana, and the ripple effects will transcend the Port of Tampa and TIA.