Havana, May 14 (RHC) -- The head of the Cuban Interests Section in the United States, José Ramón Cabañas Rodriguez, has said that Havana is studying opening a bank account in Florida.

Speaking to members of the Greater Manatee Chamber of Commerce, in the city of Bradenton on Florida's west coast, Cabañas said that Cuba is negotiating with a bank in the state, it was reported on Wednesday.

Cabañas visited Port Manatee, which is one of the largest deep water ports in the United States and is located about 300 miles from the Cuban port of Mariel, accompanied by Port Manatee chief Carlos Buqueras and several directors of ferry companies.

The companies are interested in adding Port Manatee to the list of ports that can quickly be used for making ocean trips to Cuba, a matter currently being examined by Havana, but Cabañes said that "one should not speculate" about it at this stage.

Several ferry companies in South Florida already have received U.S.-issued licenses to transport passengers by sea to and from Cuba.