Over a seven year period President Obama made significant advances in
small steps that allowed next steps to occur toward normalization of
relations with Cuba. A series of low and high profile events we were
privy too as they occurred that led up to the announcement to visit Cuba
as the first sitting President to do so in 88 years. For those
relentlessly active in the process on the "Cuba issue" that support we
had always provided for positive change over 20 years continued during
this 7 year period, time and those steps. To make it simple, it wasn't.
The number of regulatory changes too numerous (and often complex) to
mention here. This included open action and secret meetings leading up
to the announcement in December 2014 and the visit that ends today. I
have to say after 20 years working towards this end and watching Air
force One touch down at Jose Marti International Airport was nothing
short of astounding.
The most recent Presidential regulatory changes will make it
significantly easier and more affordable for individual U.S. citizens to
travel to Cuba, increase Cuba's access to international markets, permit
Cuban entities to carry out transactions in dollars, allow Cuban
citizens to earn salaries in the United States, removed 10% exchange on
U.S. dollars, allow investment in Cuba, create entrepreneurial
opportunity for Americans with Cubans and drop the ban on Cuban ports
security. Remember that its not all about Cubans, its about Cubans and
Americans. Our right to travel where we want and business opportunities
we should have had years ago as friends and neighbors. That required
visionary leadership; something we had been lacking for quite some time.
Leaders are often faced with decisions to make and promises to keep in the face of some adversity that are in the countries best interest because it is the right thing to do and best for America. Great Presidents do such things.
"In 2007, President Obama made bold promises to reform Cuba policy as a candidate to the American people and then did the unexpected. He kept his word".
Leaders are often faced with decisions to make and promises to keep in the face of some adversity that are in the countries best interest because it is the right thing to do and best for America. Great Presidents do such things.
"In 2007, President Obama made bold promises to reform Cuba policy as a candidate to the American people and then did the unexpected. He kept his word".
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