Cuban Ambassador to US Meets with Virginia’s Authorities

It is always a pleasure to visit Governor Ralph Northam in Richmond to talk about the lasting relations between Cuba and the state of Virginia. Thank you for your hospitality, the diplomat posted on Twitter on Tuesday.

During the visit to Virginia, Cabañas also held talks with State Health Commissioner Norman Oliver, whom he thanked ‘for his time and wisdom’, and expressed interest in expanding health cooperation between Cuba and that state.

The Cuban ambassador also met with Dr. Vanessa Sheppard, of the Medical Center at the Virginia Commonwealth University, with whom he talked about the projects being developed in the state at a community level and the similarities with Cuba’s healthcare approach.

Virginia has been one of the most active US states in searching better ties with Cuba and it is among those leading the limited agricultural exports to the island.

According to a study published in late 2017 by the Cuba Trade magazine and the US Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, Virginia has been a major exporter to Cuba for 15 years, with sales estimated at 28.5 million dollars in 2016.

According to the report, entitled Opportunities for US Agriculture in Cuba: A White Paper, the state supports efforts to normalize bilateral relations and further increase the historically strong association between Virginia and Cuba. (Prensa Latina)