Ambassador Responds in Twitter on Cuba-U.S. Relationships

Cuba has no limitations in making possible a wider relationship with the United States, said yesterday in Twitter the Cuban ambassador in the northern nation, José Ramón Cabañas.

The official held a Q&A in video in the microblogging network. He exchanged with internet users queries on the new scenario of the Cuba-U.S. relationships, and he emphasized that the elimination of the blockade is one from the main issues to solve for a future normalization.

Through his account @JoseRCabanas and under the hashtag #AskCubaAmb, users asked him, also, his appraisal on the visit of President Barack Obama to Cuba, what he considered "a positive event that helps in the ulterior development of bilateral relationships".

"Undoubtedly, the massive presence of legislators, officials and the press in our country helped to transfer a message on the reality of Cuba as few times happens", said Cabañas to @radiorelojcuba.

Answering the question of @HidelfonsoGlez on the "limitations that #Cuba must suppress to trade freely with the United States", the ambassador was accurate: “Cuba should not really suppress any regulation, there isn’t anything approved in the Cuban legislation that avoids a commercial relation with the United States”.

We have not implemented a blockade and we don't have, I repeat, in Cuba, any limitation that makes impossible a broader relationship with the United States; therefore, there is nothing to eliminate", he added.

While, @mayleganoa asked when it’s expected the entrance of yachts or ferries from the United States to Cuba, the ambassador answered: "In the case of ferries, there are a few companies that have made proposals, as they have done for cruisers, and we must wait for authorities to fulfill all transport paperwork. In the case of yachts, there are arrangements with North American citizens usually traveling to Cuba, and in the case of Cuban citizens it will depend, as announced, on how the dialogue advances regarding the passing of the law."

About the possibility of investing in Cuba on behalf of North American companies, Cabañas explained to user @romi_gandhi that, for the validity of the blockade, "the company would need a specific license of OFAC in order to invest in Cuba or to make another kind of transaction".

In the Q&A also participated users who spoke English and addressed the official in that language.

Hatzel Vela, for example, asked him Cubans continue to leave Cuba. If US gets rid of Cuban adjustment act what will Cuban govt do to fix problem? To which he replied that for Cuba that Law is the problem. For many years we have insisted with North American authorities that we should pursue an orderly and safety migration. Our goal continues to be the same."

User @NNOC asked more details on what president Obama can do to eliminate the blockade.

We have insisted that the executive power has a great capacity to eliminate different laws, rules related with the blockade. In several moments of the current relationships you will find the phrase: This will be applicable unless the President considers otherwise, or unless it’s considered an issue of national security. Then the executive power has a great capacity to change this law", said the Cuban diplomat.

On the new regulations that Cuba has issued to favor a future exchange, Cabañas told Daniel Zim that in a recent past the Island has approved new laws for foreign investment that the Commission of Economy for Latin America considers one of the most open and flexible legislations in the region.

Almost thirty minutes past in this fluid exchange where some users, even, took the advantage to know the ambassador's musical likes, as @VanCubaSolidarity, whom Cabañas answered: "you know that being from Cuba I like any music that is good. From hip-hop to Latin music, the Guantanamera, of course, even classic music”.

Last December 14, 2014 Cuba and the United States began a process to reestablish and gradually normalize relationships, after more than 50 years of conflict. Since then, the respective diplomatic headquarters were reopened, and several rounds of talks have taken place. The topics on debate are many, human rights, migration, post services, among others, an atmosphere of respect has prevailed.

However, for Cuba a true normalization of relationships implies the definitive elimination of the economic, commercial and financial blockade the U.S. imposes on Cuba and which is still effective, as well as the returning of the territory where Gitmo is located, illegally occupied for more than a century ago.