THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL URGES PRESIDENT TRUMP AND CONGRESS TO CONTINUE THE POLICY INITIATED BY PAST PRESIDENTS TO BUILD A NEW, COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TO IMMEDIATELY END ALL ASPECTS OF THE UNITED STATES‘ ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL, AND FINANCIAL EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA INCLUDING ALL RESTRICTIONS ON TRAVEL TO CUBA BY U.S. CITIZENS.
Respectfully Submitted,
SPONSORED by Council Member Andrea Jenkins with co-sponsors Cam Gordon and Andrew Johnson.
Whereas, in 1960, the United States government imposed an economic, commercial, and
financial embargo against Cuba; and
Whereas, on December 17, 2014, US. President Barak Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro
agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations between the two countries; and
Whereas, despite executive actions by President Obama easing certain regulations, the US.
embargo continues to be in place as do restrictions on travel by U.S. citizens to Cuba;
Whereas, trade between the United States and Cuba benefits both countries, particularly in the
areas of food production, education, healthcare, tourism, arts, music, biotechnological and medical research;
Whereas, an end to the embargo would enable Minneapolis area enterprises to collaborate with
Cuba’s advanced biotechnical and medical research institutions in the areas of drug
development, clinical tests, genetics, and medical devices, thus enhancing economic
development and employment opportunities in our region;
Whereas, on October 6, 2014, the Minnesota International Center, Westminster Presbyterian Church and St. Thomas University welcomed Cuban Ambassador Cabanas of the Cuban Special Interests Section, now the Cuban Embassy, in Washington, D.C., to our city.
Whereas, in Sept. 2017 President Trump ordered all diplomatic staff withdrawn from the US Embassy in Havana and expelled diplomatic staff from the Cuban Embassy in Washington, DC, now therefore be it,
Resolved, that the Minneapolis City Council urges President Trump to renew engagement of negotiations with the Cuban government as initiated by the policy of past Presidents to build a new, cooperative relationship between the United States and Cuba; and reestablish the diplomatic staffing of US Embassy in Havana and reinstatement of diplomatic staff at the Cuban Embassy in Washington, DC; and be it further
Resolved, that the Minneapolis City Council urges Congress and the President to immediately end
all aspects of the United States’ economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba
including restrictions on travel to Cuba by U .S, citizens; and be it further
Resolved, that copies of this resolution be sent to The President, US Congressional leaders, candidates running for the 2 Senate seats of Minnesota and Congressional District 5 seat in 2018 elections, and the Chair of the National Conference of Mayors for passage of the resolution by The Conference body.
