Ambassador of Cuba to the United States visits Michigan

The Cuban Ambassador to the United States, José Ramón Cabañas Rodríguez, paid a working visit to the State of Michigan on March 20- 22, which included meetings in the cities of Lansing and Detroit. 

 

As part of his program of activities, the Cuban High-Ranking Diplomat met with Arlan Meekhof, Majority Leader in the Michigan Senate, and was received by representatives of the Detroit Mayor’s Office, who included, Counselor Melvin Hollowell and Councilwoman Raquel Castañeda. 

 

The Cuban Ambassador was also received by the Detroit Economic Club (DEC), a renowned organization established in 1934, which has been a forum for the discussion and debate of important business, governmental and social topics, and has welcomed, throughout its history, international dignitaries and  leaders of the business circle. 

 

In the DEC’s headquarters, José Ramón Cabañas was received by the DEC President and CEO, Beth Chappel, where he exchanged with local students and made a presentation before over 200 attendees on the bilateral relations and business opportunities offered by Cuba to the business community and investors of Michigan and the United States. In this framework, Ambassador Cabañas reaffirmed that the blockade is the main hindrance to the strengthening of the economic and comercial ties with the Island and affects the interests of the Cuban and the US peoples.  

 

Ambassador Cabañas also held meetings with the Board of Directors of the Michigan Farm Bureau, the largest agricultural organization of the State; and with James Byrum, President of the Michigan Agri-business Association and James Zook, Executive Director of Michigan Corn Growers Association. The result of these meetings confirmed the vast potential for agribusiness between Michigan and Cuba, not only in the agricultural field, but in other areas as well. 

 

During his stay in Lansing, the Cuban High Representative visited Michigan State University, where he met with its President, Lou Anna Simon, MSc. and toured the facilities of the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 

 

Throughout this program of activities in Michigan, the Cuban Ambassador was accompanied by the Minister-Counselor Ruben Ramos, Head of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Cuban Embassy in the United States. Today, March 23, both diplomats commenced a working visit to the city of Columbus, in Ohio