Florida Chamber Statement on Potential Post-Embargo Cuba Relationship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Edie Ousley, 850-521-1231 or 850-251-6261
eousley@flchamber.com

TALLAHASSEE, FL. (December 18, 2014) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson today issued the following statement regarding steps to normalize relations with Cuba:

“When our nation’s leaders talk about normalizing relations with Cuba, all eyes turn to Florida. No state has been, or will be, as impacted by U.S./Cuba policy as Florida. We are very disappointed that President Obama took these actions without consulting key stakeholders in the one state impacted the most by this issue.

“Unfortunately, we do not know what conversations took place between President Obama and the Cuban dictator. We are hopeful that democracy, freedom and free enterprise were discussed and will be the basis of any further discussions regarding an eventual post-embargo relationship.

“The Florida Chamber has a long-standing position opposing normalizing relations with Cuba, and as long as there is a dictator that won’t recognize democracy, freedom and free enterprise as a path toward a better life for its people, our position will remain the same.”

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The Florida Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the state’s largest federation of employers, chambers of commerce and associations, aggressively representing small and large businesses from every industry and every region. The Florida Chamber works within all branches of government to affect those changes set forth in the annual Florida Business Agenda, and which are seen as critical to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit www.FloridaChamber.com for more information.