Texas’ Abbott will be next US governor to visit Cuba

Texas' Abbott will be next US governor to visit Cuba
By PAUL J. WEBER - Associated Press - Tuesday, November 24, 2015

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday
that he will travel to Cuba after the Thanksgiving holiday, becoming the
latest U.S. governor to pursue economic development possibilities with
the island nation amid easing trade restrictions.

President Barack Obama has worked to normalize relations with Cuba after
a half-century of hostility between the Cold War foes. The White House
removed Cuba from a U.S. terrorism blacklist and this year, and the
flags of both nations now fly in Washington and Havana.


Republican presidential candidates, however, have maintained a hardline
view on Cuba. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, whose father was born in Cuba, said
the Obama administration has given Cuban President Raul Castro
legitimacy, and Marco Rubio has called for restoring old measures.

Making no mention of the politics, Abbott said Texas had a chance to
"capitalize" on an economic opportunity.

"Opening the door to business with Texas will expand free enterprise and
the freedom that flows from it. I look forward to expanding business
opportunities for both Texas and Cuba," Abbott said in a statement.

Abbott will arrive in Havana on Monday and stay for three days.

In September, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson became the first governor to
visit Cuba since the U.S. reopened an embassy there in July. Hutchinson
had supported the embargo with Cuba when he was a member of Congress,
but he now says he supports gradually reducing the restrictions over time.

Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also visited Cuba earlier this year.

Hutchinson was joined by officials from Tyson Foods and other private
companies on his trip. Abbott, too, will be joined by Texas business and
economic leaders. The trop will be paid for by TexasOne, a
quasi-governmental economic development agency.

The visit will be the second international trip for Abbott since taking
office. He went to Mexico in September.

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Follow Paul J. Weber on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pauljweber

Source: Texas' Abbott will be next US governor to visit Cuba -
Washington Times -
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/nov/24/texas-abbott-will-be-next-us-governor-to-visit-cub/