The Case for Opening Cuba

The City Club of Cleveland Panel Discussion

Panelists included:

  • Luke Albee, Senior Advisor, Engage Cuba
  • Luis M. Alcalde, Of Counsel, Kegler, Brown, Hill + Ritter
  • Ronn Richard, President & CEO, Cleveland Foundation

This conversation was moderated by Jackie Calmes, National Correspondent for The New York Times.

Last year, the United States (U.S.) and Cuba began restoring diplomatic ties and relaxing some trade and travel restrictions. It was a significant thaw in a relationship that has been frosty for more than 55 years. However, it is still a long way from a full-scale lifting of the U.S's economic embargo on the island nation.

This past year, Engage Cuba has been working to build support for normalizing relations with Cuba both in D.C and in important heartland states such as Ohio. A recent Atlantic Council poll, conducted by prominent GOP pollster Glen Bolger, found that a majority of Americans, including Ohioans from both parties, support lifting the trade embargo and travel restrictions and endorse the restoration of diplomatic relations. Engage Cuba representatives, their partners at the Atlantic Council, and Mr. Bolger will be joined by Ohio voices for a conversation about the implications of new Cuba Policy at the City Club of Cleveland on February 17 at 12:00 pm.