St. Pete City Council wants the U.S. to normalize relations with Cuba. The board unanimously approved a resolution expressing support for a congressional measure that would completely restore normalized relations with the island nation.
The move supports U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s Cuba Trade Act of 2015, which would remove presidential authority to impose sanctions on Cuba, restrictions on transactions, limitations on direct shipping and restrictions on remittances. It would also lift enforcement of an economic embargo and end the prohibition on indirect financing of Cuba.
“They use the embargo to paint the U.S. as the bad guy, so we need to delete that,” said council chair Charlie Gerdes who traveled to Cuba with Mayor Rick Kriseman last month.
The board also unanimously approved, with the exception of Steve Kornell, who was absent at the vote, a resolution supporting a Cuban consulate in St. Pete.
Part of Kriseman’s trip to Cuba included expressing interest to top Cuban officials that St. Pete would be an ideal spot. Kriseman is planning another trip soon.
“If we stop knocking on that door, they’ll forget about it so it’s good you’re going back,” Gerdes said.
Kriseman’s first trip was cut short as a hurricane barreled toward the island with the Tampa Bay area in its path as well. That storm ultimately missed both locations.
