{"id":201549,"date":"2019-06-28T17:16:51","date_gmt":"2019-06-28T21:16:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/?p=201549"},"modified":"2019-06-28T17:27:39","modified_gmt":"2019-06-28T21:27:39","slug":"ambassador-cabanas-promotes-collaboration-between-cuba-and-tampa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/cuba-usa\/ambassador-cabanas-promotes-collaboration-between-cuba-and-tampa\/","title":{"rendered":"Ambassador Caba\u00f1as promotes collaboration between Cuba and Tampa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cuba’s ambassador to the United States, Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00f3n Caba\u00f1as, visited Tampa this week. According to the daily Tampa Bay Times<\/em>, <\/span>he said<\/span><\/a> that Cuba’s ties with this Florida region can continue growing outside of Washington’s policy of hostility.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since the 19th century Tampa, and particularly the bay area, has had a very special relationship with the island. <\/span>Ybor City<\/span><\/a> was founded in 1886 by Spaniards, Cubans and Italians involved in the then burgeoning cigar industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Caba\u00f1as gave as an example expanding the collaboration between the National Aquarium of Havana and the Florida Aquarium in Tampa to save the coral reefs in the Caribbean.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We are exploring several ideas about how to expand that cooperation, which until now is bilateral, to include other countries in the Caribbean,” he said. Aquarium spokeswoman Kari Goetz said: “We are open to working with anyone in the restoration of corals.”<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, the diplomat hopes to interest local mayors in attending the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the capital, Havana. “Mayors from many parts of the world are going to Cuba,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

He extended an invitation to the mayor of St. Petersburg, Rick Kriseman, who has traveled to the island and favors the normalization of relations. “Thank you for the invitation and I will consider it,” he replied. The new Tampa mayor, Jane Castor, will also receive an invitation. According to reports, the official could not meet with Caba\u00f1as for having a prior commitment. But City Councilman Bill Carlson did. He said that if Castor did not travel to Havana in November, he would be willing to officially represent the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Carlson, during his meeting with Caba\u00f1as, they addressed cultural and artistic exchanges with Tampa and the strengthening of joint ventures currently underway.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Embajador de #Cuba<\/a> visita la ciudad de Tampa https:\/\/t.co\/3fewSeQhG0<\/a> v\u00eda @telemundo49<\/a><\/p>\n

— Dr C Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00f3n Caba\u00f1as Rodriguez (@JoseRCabanas) June 26, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n