Havana, February 18 (RHC) –- U.S. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi arrived in Cuba on Wednesday heading a congressional delegation. This is the first official House of Representatives delegation to the country since Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced the beginning of a process to re-establish bilateral diplomatic relations.
Pelosi arrived here in Havana following the departure of three U.S. senators who traveled to Cuba this week. It is the third group of U.S. lawmakers since the presidential announcement took place on December 17th.
“This delegation travels to Cuba in friendship and to build upon the announcement of U.S. normalization of relations and other initiatives announced by President Obama,” Pelosi said. And she added: “This delegation will work to advance the U.S.-Cuba relationship and build on the work done by many in the Congress over the years, especially with respect to agriculture and trade.”
According to their agenda, all nine congress people will meet with Cuban authorities, with Cardinal Jaime Ortega, American officials at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana and with community representatives.
The Congressional delegation is made up of Elliot Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member, Foreign Affairs Committee; Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Co-Chair, Democratic Steering and Policy Committee; Ranking Member, Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture; Collin Peterson (D-MN), Ranking Member, Agriculture Committee; Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Ranking Member, Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology; Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Ranking Member, Small Business Committee; Jim McGovern (D-MA), Co-Chair, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission; Member, Agriculture Committee; Steve Israel (D-NY), Chair, Democratic Policy and Communications Committee; Member, Appropriations Committee; David Cicilline (D-RI), Member, Foreign Affairs Committee and Judiciary Committee.
Pelosi and her delegation are scheduled to meet with the press on Thursday, February 19th.
Pelosi arrived in Havana following the visit by U.S. senators Amy Klobuchar, Claire McCaskill and Mark Warner. The group met with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, business owners and civil society members and also toured a new port and farms.
