Little Rock, September 28 (RHC)-- The Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson said he wants to be in an advanced position if the U.S. economic blockade is lifted and, for that reason, is heading a trade delegation to Cuba.

According to Little Rock local media, Governor Hutchinson told AP last week that “it is clear the embargo will be lessened and he wants Arkansas to be prepared.”

The Arkansas governor had supported the blockade against Cuba in the past, but says he is now backing a gradual removal of travel and financial restrictions contained in the unilateral anti-Cuba policy maintained by successive U.S. administrations.

Since Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro made the historic December 17th announcement about re-establishing links, there have been many intentions by U.S. companies and officials to try to have an impact on the Cuban market once the blockade is lifted.

Cuban authorities have made it clear that it is not possible to talk about normalization of relations between the U.S. and Cuba while the blockade is still enforced, which is considered the main obstacle for the development of the island and a violation of international law and the rights of the Cuban people.