MIAMI (Reuters) – An effort to push for greater engagement with Cuba was to launch last night, headlined by Alan Gross, the former American government contractor who was jailed in Cuba for five years on espionage charges until his release in December.
The mission of the new political action committee, New Cuba, is to lobby Congress to end travel restrictions for Americans wanting to visit the communist-run island, as well as well as expanding trade, its organizers say.
The announcement comes after the historic Dec 17 announcement by Washington and Havana to seek the renewal of diplomatic relations, as well as improved commercial ties.
Gross, who was released as part of that accord, wants to play a role in helping restore normal relations between the two countries, according to his lawyer, Scott Gilbert.
“Alan supports the president’s initiative 100 per cent and he believes that open travel and trade between our countries is the best thing for the people of Cuba and the people of our country,” Gilbert said.
Gross was scheduled to speak at the PAC’s launch at Gilbert’s Miami Beach home, attended by members of south Florida’s large Cuban American community, both Democrat and Republican, organizers say.
The PAC, whose leaders include a young Cuban-American, Ric Herrero, and Washington-based political consultant James Williams, says it is supported by Fortune 500 companies hoping to do business in Cuba.
“We want to send a strong message to all congressional candidates. There is a bipartisan momentum to changing the policy further,” said Luis Miranda, a political strategist and former White House spokesman, who is a PAC consultant.
