Cuba and the United States have been at odds since Fidel Castro seized power in 1959. Successive U.S. administrations have employed tough measures since that time, including prolonged economic sanctions, but recently there has been some softening in U.S. policies toward Cuba, particularly since Castro transferred the Cuban presidency to his brother Raúl in 2008, and Barack Obama became U.S.president. Raúl Castro has gradually implemented major economic reforms and lifted travel restrictions, and although the U.S. and Cuba still do not have formal diplomatic relations, contacts between our two countries are growing.
Join the Minnesota International Center and the University of St. Thomas on Monday, October 6, to hear Cuba’s top diplomatic official in the U.S., Dr. José Ramón Cabañas, speak about U.S. Cuba relations, the impact of economic reforms and ongoing sanctions, and the prognosis for normalized relations in the fuure.
About the Speaker:
Dr. José Ramón Cabañas Rodríguez is the Chief of Mission of the Cuban Interests Section, housed within the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, D.C. In 1984, he began his diplomatic career in various positions within the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at the Cuban Embassy to Ottawa, Canada. He then served as Deputy Director of the North American Affairs Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and within the Division of Cuban Residents Abroad and Consular Affairs. During that period, as a member of the negotiating team, he participated in migration talks held between Cuba and Mexico, among other island nations. In 2001, he was appointed Ambassador of Cuba to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna and prior to his current role was Deputy Minister at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
DATE AND TIME
Monday, October 6, 2014
5:30 p.m. registration
6—7:30 p.m. program
LOCATION
University of St. Thomas
Thornton Auditorium
Terrence Murphy Hall
1000 LaSalle Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Parking available at Harmon
Place ramp attached to St.
Thomas via the skyway system
COST
$5 MIC Members, Corporate
Members, & Students
$15 Non-members
MIC Vouchers accepted; please
present upon arrival
REGISTRATION
Click here or call 612.625.1662
