The right-wing Cuban-American community in Miami is creating serious problems in Florida again.  Now, they achieved the goal that the state’s legislature has agreed to prohibit business with companies related to Cuba.

This has caused a storm of denials to that legislation of the two main partners in this area of ​​Florida, Brazil and Canada.  Observers in the countries involved summarize what is happening: their corporate interests are negatively affected by the lawmakers of Miami-Dade County who authorized the project.

They also say that one of the balances is the politically difficult situation imposed on Florida’s governor, Rick Scott, a well known promoter of business.

Lobbyists who influence work for companies told reporters in Miami that they have made their concerns known to Scott, who has until May 5^th to approve the legislation, or let the measure become law without his signature.

The Canadian Ambassador to the U.S telephoned the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Florida, Mark Wilson, to express his concern that this law affects many of its companies in Florida and Cuba.

In this regard, the chairman of the Florida House said he knew that Canadian firms will not make new investments in the State for fear of setbacks. 

Canada is the second largest trading partner of Florida, surpassed by Brazil, which already expressed similar concerns to Washington.

The Minister of Commerce and Industry of Brazil, Fernando Pimentel, addressed the issue during a meeting with U.S Secretary of Commerce John Brison.

When the bill was put to the vote by Florida’s lawmakers, it came forward virtually unopposed.
One of the promoters of the initiative, Michael Bileca, told reporters that he was surprised it had no resistance.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mark Wilson, said he didn’t think many people actually believed the legislation would pass, saying that people are concerned that a State is establishing its own foreign policy.

There is an element in all this that should be noted, and that is the not so hidden role of right-wing forces in the Cuban-American community in southern Florida.  Their plots continue to tarnish the image of U.S.administrations, as they drive U.S.foreign policy from Miami, rather than Washington.

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