(From left to right Third Secretary Dariel Quintana, Third Secretary Yanet Pumariega, Senate Minority Leader Timothy S. Lanane)
The Third Secretaries of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba to the United States, Yanet Pumariega and Dariel Quintana, visited Indiana on 25-27 February. The diplomats had the opportunity to meet with several officials there and to talk about the mutual benefits of improving the bilateral relations between Cuba and the United States.
Pumariega and Quintana were received by the Minority Leader, Timothy S. Lanane, at the Indiana State Senate, and had a very professional and fruitful exchange on ways to move forward. He recalled his previous meeting with Ambassador Cabañas when the latter visited the State in January 2017.
The Cuban officials met with Andrea A. Richter-Garry, vice-president for international engagement of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). The organization emphasized their work on the promotion and expansion of Indiana exports and foreign investment, and the many opportunities that Cuba offers on those areas. They extended an invitation for the next Indiana Global Economic Summit to be held in late April this year. 
(From left to right Vice President of Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) Andrea A. Ritcher, Third Secretary Yanet Pumariega, Third Secretary Dariel Quintana, Director of Internatinal Programs IEDC, Jillian F. Turner)
The meeting with officials of the State Department of Agriculture reaffirmed their interest in further expanding trade opportunities in Cuba. This same position was shared by Randy Kron, President of the Indiana Farm Bureau, who mentioned the opportunities that Cuba would offer for small farmers and businesses looking to increase their presence overseas.
(From left to right President of Indiana Farm Bureau, Randy Kron; Third Secretary, Yanet Pumariega; Third Secretary, Dariel Quintana; Director of National Government Relations, Robert White)
At the City of Bloomington, Pumariega and Quintana were received by Mayor John Hamilton who noted the longstanding relations between this City and Santa Clara under the Sister Cities Agreement signed in 1999, and recognized the efforts by the local organization CubAmistad in implementing this agreement. At a meeting with CubAmistad members, they reiterated their commitment to continue working for the improvement of the bilateral relations between Cuba and the United States.
(From left to right Third Secretary, Yanet Pumariega; Mayor John Hamilton; Third Secretary, Dariel Quintana)
While in Bloomington, the Cuban diplomats also met with Hannah Buxbaum, Vice-president for International Programs at Indiana University and other members of the faculty, who coincided on a variety of areas available for mutual benefits such as academic exchanges and partnership in education, health, business and culture. Gerardo Gonzalez, Emeritus Dean of the School of Education emphasized the willingness to expand the cooperation under the current agreement between Indiana University and the Central University of Santa Clara "Marta Abreu" of Cuba. Likewise, during an exchange with faculty members and students on the relations between Cuba and the United States, there was common sense about the harmful effects of the current policy towards Cuba including on the U.S. own interests.
This visit to Indiana, like those to other states, has once again confirmed that there is plenty of room for mutual cooperation and benefits that have been currently underestimated by the U.S. government for political game.