When Tampa City Council member Mary Mulhern returned from her visit to Cuba with a delegation of business execs, she was preparing herself for the obvious question: Now what? Most Americans can’t go to Cuba, and the few who do typically don’t include elected Florida officials. And given the change in Administrations, the short shelf life of the Castro brothers and potential Cuban-American trade and travel scenarios during a recession, did Mulhern, an outspoken critic of the economic embargo and travel restrictions, formulate follow-up plans?
“The next step is for all Americans to be free to travel to Cuba,” says Mulhern. “I will lobby (U.S. Rep.) Kathy Castor to sign the (Mass. Congressman William) Delahunt bill (“Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act”). Actually, I will continue to lobby her. I will also lobby (Fla. Congressman) Kendrick Meek, Sen. Bill Nelson and Sen. Mel Martinez.
“And I will be asking for a meeting with the mayor,” adds Mulhern. “I’ll be putting together a report for the city council.” Mulhern is also hopeful about a city council workshop on renewed Cuban-American relations and expects to solicit a letter from city council encouraging more normalized relations with Cuba. She is also intrigued by the prospect of a Sister City relationship between Tampa – or Ybor City – and a Cuban counterpart.
“It’s critical that the city of Tampa re-establish good relations for trade – involving both the port and the airport,” underscores Mulhern. “It should be obvious, but you can’t build good relations without talking. Business is about relationships. Especially in Latin America. We need a strong relationship (in place) before this policy finally changes.
“I learned that there is a lot more opportunity for this area and the state than I thought,” acknowledges Mulhern. “I would encourage the port to pay a visit. We can encourage more trade right now legally – and not just beans and dairy products.
“(Trade Minister Alberto) Betancourt made it plain that the U.S. was their preferred trade partner, and Florida is obviously an especially preferred partner because of proximity,” says Mulhern. “But right now we’re losing business.”