Will Cuba Be A Gold Mine For Iowa Businesses?

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Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa
12 March 2016

Will Cuba be a gold mine for Iowa businesses?

By Kevin Hardy

Many American businesses believe re-establishing trade with Cuba will prove a financial windfall, allowing them to bring their products and services to a market that's been all but forbidden over the last five decades.

Tom Swegle has his eyes on Cuba for the opposite reason.

"We always talk about trade going into Cuba," he said, "but not what is going out of Cuba, besides cigars and old cars."  Swegle, CEO of MedCara, an early stage pharmaceutical company based in in Conrad, Ia., wants to export a Cuban drug that treats diabetic foot ulcers and license it for U.S. patients.

The medicine, Heberprot-P, is already available in 25 other countries. And with nearly 30 million Americans suffering from diabetes, Swegle has little doubt of the need for the product here.

But the trade embargo enacted in 1960 remains in effect, even as the United States works to repair its relationship with the communist Cuban government. Swegle is optimistic that President Barack Obama's efforts to mend fences with Cuba will eventually allow a company like his to bring the drug to the American market.  "I absolutely think its going to open up trade," he said. "It may not happen next month, but all signs are pointing to having this embargo lifted. That's what we’re banking on."  And he's not alone.

As diplomatic efforts ramp up, American businesses are eyeing opportunity in a market that for many has remained off limits for decades. In Iowa, those tied to the world of agriculture are especially interested, given that Cubans import a majority of the food they consume.

And many signs abound that the U.S. government is serious about thawing its long icy relationship with Cuba:  More than 50 years after President Dwight Eisenhower severed diplomatic relations with Cuba, the U.S. flag now flies again over the American Embassy in Havana, which reopened in August. Both countries have agreed to regularly scheduled commercial flights between the U.S. and Cuba.

And later this month, Obama will visit Cuba, marking only the second time a sitting American president has visited the island nation. (Calvin Coolidge visited in 1928.)

"I think there is a lot of interest," said Meg Schneider, senior vice president of regional business development at the Greater Des Moines Partnership. "And when you think about Cuba, it's a market that's been closed off for 50 years. So not only the state of Iowa, but every state in the United States has a lot of interest in what is to come."  Schneider said several Iowa companies already have done business in Cuba since the U.S. government relaxed its trade ban in 2000 to allow for some agricultural exports to Cuba.

Over the last decade, Iowa's government, nonprofit and business leaders have visited the island as a part of various trade missions exploring opportunities for future business there.  So far, enthusiasm is mixed.

"If you’re looking for an easy sale, that’s not Cuba," said Dave Miller, director of research and commodity services for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.  Miller recently returned from a February trip to Cuba sponsored by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.  He said he sees plenty of opportunity in Cuba, especially for Iowa's pork, corn, soybean and egg producers. And demand for high-quality meats will only increase with an expected influx in tourism, he said.

But the Cuban market is largely controlled by the heavy-handed government, and U.S regulations on financing often make it difficult to move product. Miller said the Cuban government doesn't default on its purchases, but it can take upward of a year to turn around payment on some shipments, a massive burden for any small company looking to sell there.

Still, he said, now is the time to begin building relationships in Cuba. That's the advice locals gave to the most recent group of Iowans who visited.  "The answer is yes, there is opportunity. The answer is yes, there are a still a number of challenges," Miller said. "But it is probably a good time to get in if you have patience and have deep enough pockets to withstand some of the time frames that emerge."

Sen. Steve Sodders, D-State Center, who led a group of Iowa business leaders to Cuba in January, sees plenty of opportunity on the island. Aside from the obvious ag connections, he said Meskwaki Inc., the investment arm of the Meskwaki Nation, is interested in bringing Cuban rum and tobacco into the country and distributing it across the Midwest.

"We didn't just go down there saying, 'We want you to buy our tractors, we want you to buy our seed, we want you to buy our hogs,'" Sodders said. "We said we want it to go both ways. We want to buy some of your products, too."  He said Cuba has been inundated with state officials and business leaders from across the country courting business.

"They emphasized that we have to start trusting each other and build a relationship so that we can do business down there," Sodders said.

Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham said it's important for business and public officials to monitor what's happening in Cuba. But it's too early to tell how fruitful any potential business opportunities will prove.  "I don’t think you’re going to see a mad rush," she said. "I think it's going to be a measured approach."
Opportunities with Iowa ag

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said the opportunity for local companies in Cuba extends beyond straight commodity exports. Much of Cuba is blanketed with fallow fields that once grew sugar cane. If Cuba decides to expand its own agricultural capacity, it will need the aid of seed companies, fertilizer providers and implement producers.

"They are going to need mechanization to do it. They will need some tools," Northey said. "They certainly don’t need a 200 horsepower tractor. They need something smaller, that’s usable and very cost effective."

Cuba has drawn plenty of American focus and intrigue over the last five decades. And Northey said that may sometimes boost enthusiasm from American companies to unreasonable levels.

"We see that they need our products. But we’re not sure that we’re going to be selling into that market for awhile, simply because they’re not ready yet financially and logistically," he said. "There's an interest that maybe exceeds the opportunity in some cases, but over time there are going to be opportunities."

Deere & Co. spokesman Ken Golden said the Moline, Ill.-based maker of farm equipment doesn't foresee placing manufacturing facilities in Cuba. But the company does expect to eventually export products there.  "In general, freer trade in food and agricultural products is positive for our customers and for John Deere," Golden said. "In Cuba, there is a need for agricultural and construction machinery. However, the political and economic relations between the U.S. and Cuba will take some time to develop."

Challenges in Cuba

Andrew Doria, international sales director at Johnston-based Midwest Premier Foods, said his company is always looking for new markets to trade pork, beef, poultry and other foods.  But right now, Cuba is nowhere near the top of his list.  "It's a great opportunity for Iowa. It will be for our ag industry, but maybe not for our company in particular," he said.

Doria is skeptical that Cuba's crumbling infrastructure will be able to support a boom in tourism. On the February trade trip there, he noted problems with water pressure, electricity and cellphone service. And he doubts that Cubans will have enough cash in their pockets anytime soon to drive up demand for exported products. (The average state salary is about $20 per month.) 

Doria said the Cuban government puts an extraordinary number of hurdles in front of businesses looking to sell products there.  "In Korea, we have two or three steps to do business. In Mexico, we have two or three steps. Cuba, it appears to me there would be about 20 steps to do business," Doria said. "That's just rough."

Amid heightened competition from other countries, American exports to Cuba have fallen dramatically in recent years. Cuban exports peaked above $710 million in 2008, but by 2015 reached only about $170 million, according to the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council.

John Kavulich, president of the nonprofit council, said American business interests in Cuba are far outstripping the actual opportunity there. He said the enthusiasm is counterintuitive, especially given a drop in U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba.

The Cuban government's lack of a foreign exchange and its habit of delaying payment will remain barriers for the foreseeable future, he said.  Still, he recognizes the progress Obama is making in working to restore relations.

"These are initiatives that are important and are real," Kavulich said. "However, they are only as beneficial to the United States as the Cuban government will permit them to be. And thus far the Cuban government is not permitting them to be profitable to the United States."

Given the uncertainty, he questions the value of the many Cuba trade trips sponsored by various U.S. business and government leaders in recent months.

"It makes good conversation at the country club, in the boardroom, to reporters, at church, to the chamber of commerce," he said. "But most of the visits are not necessary."

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Will Receive Authorization To Manage Property(s) In Cuba

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Stamford, Connecticut-based Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide will receive authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury to manage property(s) located in the Republic of Cuba.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is being acquired by Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriott International, which is also receiving authorization from the OFAC to manage property(s) located in the Republic of Cuba.

Will United States hospitality companies change the Republic of Cuba or will they be changed by the Republic of Cuba?  Islands of state-of-the-art technology surrounded by seas of technology expectations

The most important question relating to the return of United States-owned hospitality companies to the Republic of Cuba marketplace is:

Will Marriott International and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide force changes to the hospitality throughout the Republic of Cuba or will the companies conform to the existing infrastructure (operations, economics, personnel, etc.)?

NOTE: the term “tourism” should not be used as the twelve categories of travelers permitted by the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 does not legally authorize leisure travel to the Republic of Cuba by individuals subject to United States law.

The initial answer will be a bit of both…

With the return of regularly-scheduled commercial airline service, the operational requirements of airlines are the foundation upon which the hospitality companies will operate.

There is a requirement for high-speed internet access (satellite or land-based, potentially leading to an upgrade of the cable that lies under the Florida Straits).  The airlines and the hospitality companies will bring with them servers and modems and Wi-Fi equipment and computers and facsimile machines and printers and cable and satellite (Direct TV, Dish, etc.) and cellular equipment for 4G and 5G capabilities.  As are the airlines, they will seek for the government of the Republic of Cuba to institute an electronic visa program.  They will be islands of state-of-the-art technology surrounded by seas of technology expectations.   

There is a requirement for correspondent banking (with Pompano Beach, Florida-based Stonegate Bank being the principal benefactor as the airlines and hospitality companies will make use of its direct correspondent banking agreement with Republic of Cuba government-operated Banco Popular de Ahorro).

Marriott International and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide will not permit their flagship properties to become ambassadors of what is a minimally-acceptable customer experience; envoys to the status-quo.  They will be advocates for change; they will be forceful.

The United States companies will not permit properties to be absent of basic guest room necessities; nor will restaurant and bar menus not have available the products that are listed for purchase.

The United States companies will not permit properties to fall into disrepair because the Republic of Cuba government-operated company that owns the property is required to make payments to the government of the Republic of Cuba to be directed for other purposes.

The United States companies will not finance the operations of their properties because their landlord does not have the funds as required by the management contract.

The United States companies will have training programs- and they will bring individuals of Cuban descent from their United States properties to train and to work and to manage various departments of their respective properties.  They will bring individuals of nationalities from throughout their global operations to impact the commercial, economic and political environment.  They will increase the wages and benefits of their employees who are Republic of Cuba nationals.  They will be employment magnets for the best and the brightest from existing properties throughout the Republic of Cuba.  They will upend the existing employment structures.

Will the management contracts signed by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide and Marriott International be similar as those that Spain-based Melia and France-based Accor among others have signed with Republic of Cuba government-operated companies including Cubanacan Group, Gaviota Group, Gran Caribe, Hoteles Habaguanex?  No, they will be adjusted towards the standards of the United States companies rather than the United States companies adjusting towards standards that will be operationally problematic.

The Libertad Act of 1996 authorizes individuals and companies subject to United States law to engage in direct negotiations with the government of the Republic of Cuba to settle claims registered with the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission under the auspice of the United States Department of Justice.  As a result of a series of mergers and acquisitions during the last fifty-seven years, a US$51,128,927.00 claim initially made by New York-based International Telephone & Telegraph Corporation (ITT) is now controlled by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide (and, soon, Marriott International), which can use this value as a means to secure opportunities within the Republic of Cuba.

A cautionary note…. Since 17 December 2014, the government of the Republic of Cuba has continued to accept and to authorize primarily those Obama Administration initiatives that will earn revenues (visitors) rather than result in an expenditure of earnings (imports).  United States agricultural commodity/food product exports to the Republic of Cuba decreased 41% in 2015 compared to 2014; and January 2016 exports to the Republic of Cuba decreased 8% compared to January 2015.  Healthcare product exports increased fivefold in 2015 compared to 2014.

Marriott Corporation Will Receive Authorization To Manage Property(s) In Cuba

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The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury will authorize Bethesda, Maryland-base Marriott International to manage a property(s) in the Republic of Cuba.

Marriott International is acquiring Stamford, Connecticut-based Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, which will separately receive authorization from the OFAC to manage property(s) located in the Republic of Cuba.

Will United States hospitality companies change the Republic of Cuba or will they be changed by the Republic of Cuba?  Islands of state-of-the-art technology surrounded by seas of technology expectations 

The most important question relating to the return of United States-owned hospitality companies to the Republic of Cuba marketplace is:

Will Marriott International and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide force changes to the hospitality throughout the Republic of Cuba or will the companies conform to the existing infrastructure (operations, economics, personnel, etc.)?

NOTE: the term “tourism” should not be used as the twelve categories of travelers permitted by the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 does not legally authorize leisure travel to the Republic of Cuba by individuals subject to United States law.

The initial answer will be a bit of both…

With the return of regularly-scheduled commercial airline service, the operational requirements of airlines are the foundation upon which the hospitality companies will operate.
There is a requirement for high-speed internet access (satellite or land-based, potentially leading to an upgrade of the cable that lies under the Florida Straits).  The airlines and the hospitality companies will bring with them servers and modems and Wi-Fi equipment and computers and facsimile machines and printers and cable and satellite (Direct TV, Dish, etc.) and cellular equipment for 4G and 5G capabilities.  As are the airlines, they will seek for the government of the Republic of Cuba to institute an electronic visa program.  They will be islands of state-of-the-art technology surrounded by seas of technology expectations.   

There is a requirement for correspondent banking (with Pompano Beach, Florida-based Stonegate Bank being the principal benefactor as the airlines and hospitality companies will make use of its direct correspondent banking agreement with Republic of Cuba government-operated Banco Popular de Ahorro).

Marriott International and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide will not permit their flagship properties to become ambassadors of what is a minimally-acceptable customer experience; envoys to the status-quo.  They will be advocates for change; they will be forceful.

The United States companies will not permit properties to be absent of basic guest room necessities; nor will restaurant and bar menus not have available the products that are listed for purchase.

The United States companies will not permit properties to fall into disrepair because the Republic of Cuba government-operated company that owns the property is required to make payments to the government of the Republic of Cuba to be directed for other purposes.

The United States companies will not finance the operations of their properties because their landlord does not have the funds as required by the management contract.

The United States companies will have training programs- and they will bring individuals of Cuban descent from their United States properties to train and to work and to manage various departments of their respective properties.  They will bring individuals of nationalities from throughout their global operations to impact the commercial, economic and political environment.  They will increase the wages and benefits of their employees who are Republic of Cuba nationals.  They will be employment magnets for the best and the brightest from existing properties throughout the Republic of Cuba.  They will upend the existing employment structures.

Will the management contracts signed by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide and Marriott International be similar as those that Spain-based Melia and France-based Accor among others have signed with Republic of Cuba government-operated companies including Cubanacan Group, Gaviota Group, Gran Caribe, Hoteles Habaguanex?  No, they will be adjusted towards the standards of the United States companies rather than the United States companies adjusting towards standards that will be operationally problematic.

The Libertad Act of 1996 authorizes individuals and companies subject to United States law to engage in direct negotiations with the government of the Republic of Cuba to settle claims registered with the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission under the auspice of the United States Department of Justice.  As a result of a series of mergers and acquisitions during the last fifty-seven years, a US$51,128,927.00 claim initially made by New York-based International Telephone & Telegraph Corporation (ITT) is now controlled by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide (and, soon, Marriott International), which can use this value as a means to secure opportunities within the Republic of Cuba.

A cautionary note…. Since 17 December 2014, the government of the Republic of Cuba has continued to accept and to authorize primarily those Obama Administration initiatives that will earn revenues (visitors) rather than result in an expenditure of earnings (imports).  United States agricultural commodity/food product exports to the Republic of Cuba decreased 41% in 2015 compared to 2014; and January 2016 exports to the Republic of Cuba decreased 8% compared to January 2015.  Healthcare product exports increased fivefold in 2015 compared to 2014.

AT&T To Join Verizon And Sprint With Roaming Agreements In Cuba

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Dallas, Texas-based AT&T will join New York, New York-based Verizon Wireless (through London, United Kingdom-based Vodafone) and Kansas-based Sprint Corporation (direct) in roaming agreements with Republic of Cuba government-operated ETECSA.  AT&T is expected to announce a direct roaming agreement with ETECSA.

 

14 Actions That Each Candidate Might Take If Elected President

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The Republic of Cuba will not be a legislative priority for the individual sworn into office on 20 January 2017. 

Irrespective of rhetoric, there will be far too many legislative and regulatory issues with nationwide and global implications for any political capital to be invested and directed towards the bilateral relationship with the Republic of Cuba. 

However, there may be diplomatic changes and/or regulatory changes which may expand or may constrict commercial opportunities. 

What constrains a candidate is often different than what constrains a president.

This is what the landscape might resemble- 14 questions and potential actions by each candidate:   CLICK HERE

A Hostage Triangle

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A Hostage Triangle....

The scene unfolded in 2014 and was set in place on 17 December 2014. The actual event occurred in 2015 when President Obama confirmed his desire to visit the Republic of Cuba. At that moment, the government of the Republic of Cuba knew that the perceived strength of Washington in any negotiation had shifted to Havana.

President Obama became a hostage to Cuba.

If the President was now including a visit to the Republic of Cuba within his final term "legacy" events, the government of the Republic of Cuba knew that the President would need to try and create a commercial, economic and political landscape that would support such a visit.

The government of the Republic of Cuba believed that the Obama Administration would continue to expand the commercial, economic and political relationship- without an important caveat, that the government of the Republic of Cuba reciprocate. That is precisely what happened.

Other than permitting a substantial increase in the number of visitors to the Republic of Cuba, and thus earning significant revenues, there was no embrace (or authorization) for most of the commercially-focused initiatives offered through the United States Department of the Treasury and United States Department of Commerce.  What initiatives provided revenues would generally be accepted; those which required expenditures would generally be avoided.

There have been visits to the Republic of Cuba by four cabinet secretaries; more than one hundred and forty representatives of the United States government have visited since 2015; approximately half that number of representatives of the government of the Republic of Cuba have visited the United States during the same period.

For the government of the Republic of Cuba, as hostage taker, or host, there seemed little risk. There was no population-driven demand for commercial, economic or political change. The deteriorating financial relationship with Venezuela was manageable, primarily due to a re-emergence of relationships with traditional trading partners; an agreement was reached with the Paris Club of Creditor Nations. Heads of state and heads of government were in line to visit Havana.  But, there remained a tenuous financial foundation; Republic of Cuba government-operated companies were seeking payment terms of up to one year- often from providers who had already been incurring payment arrears.

The newfound and newly-resurrected interest from most governments, most financial institutions, most companies were a direct result of a belief, their belief, that the relationship with the United States was on a positive glide path and, most importantly, was based upon expectation, requirement, that United States citizens would increase their visits (and expenditures) and United States companies would have a presence, although in the slowest way possible so as not to jeopardize opportunities the governments, companies and financial institutions located in their respective countries feel have been reserved for them.

Cuba became hostage to its new and newly-resurrected friends.

No longer would the "sit back and wait" approach suffice; with less than a year remaining for Obama Administration initiatives, without a meaningful impact, and an impact that would be sustained, those entities (in Europe and in Asia and in the Americas) that had granted debt relief would again question how the funds would be repaid and how their newly-created commercial operations would succeed, without the United States' continued lessening of restrictions.  They need the Obama Initiatives to survive the Obama Presidency.

Cuba is a hostage to President Obama.

With 317 days remaining in the Obama Administration, the government of the Republic of Cuba must now permit and, more importantly, have operational, some of the commercial initiatives- Alabama-based Cleber LLC to assemble tractors (critical to have an assembled tractor in the marketplace before 20 January 2017), Tampa-based Florida Produce of Hillsborough County to operate a leased food warehouse; cruise ship schedules, offices for companies, etc, agreement on certified claims.  The Obama Administration plans to have some United States companies announce commercial intentions leading up to and during the visit by the President to the Republic of Cuba on 21/22 March 2016.

A bilateral landscape that is defined by the imagery of air carriers with regularly-scheduled services, an increase in visitors to the Republic of Cuba, increase in revenues to the Republic of Cuba, and a continuing decline in United States exports to the Republic of Cuba (41% decline food/agricultural commodity exports in 2015; 8% decline in January 2016) would not be immune to change from the successor to President Obama.

Today, the government of the Republic of Cuba has the role as hosting a hostage and being twice a hostage.  How it manages a resolution of this hostage triangle will become apparent in thirteen days and then again on 16-18 April 2016, during the 7th Party Congress of the Communist Party of the Republic of Cuba.

No "Thank You" Note For President Obama; Motus Tardus

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No “Thank You” Note For President Obama

President Obama is resigned to accepting that the government of the Republic of Cuba will not be sending along any “thank you” notes in response to regulatory changes implemented in 2015, thus far in 2016, and those planned through 20 January 2017.

The goal of the Obama Administration during the remaining months in office is to make every regulatory change possible so that a successor will have a challenging regulatory landscape to reassemble.  And, hopefully, the government of the Republic of Cuba will have fewer options to avoid integration of the initiatives into its commercial and economic policies.

The Republic of Cuba has remained as it does, in large measure, due to the government seeking, when in need, a country or group of countries to come along and provide the resources required so its citizens can resist concessions to the United States.  For fifty-seven years, this strategy has not failed them. 

Motus Tardus

There have been limited internal pressures for reform; and any pressures that do exist have been surmountable by the government of the Republic of Cuba.  The most visible example of comfortability with the motus tardus is the generational profile of the two leaders of the country: President Raul Castro, at 84, who is also First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Republic of Cuba, and Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, 85, Second Secretary of the Communist Party of the Republic of Cuba and Second Vice President.  

Less than two years from the retirement of President Castro, his official successor to lead the Communist Party of the Republic of Cuba is a gentleman who is older than the outgoing president and First Secretary.  The First Vice President, Miguel Diaz-Canel, at 56, is the generally-believed heir apparent to President Castro, but not necessarily expected to become First Secretary.

The message to the population and to the United States is singular- change will be only as rapid as a lack of foreign exchange and outside support mandates.

After 5 Months & FOIA Requests, Secretary Of Commerce Pritzker Releases Names

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After Five Months And Numerous FOIA Requests, Secretary Of Commerce Pritzker Releases Names Of Her October 2016 Delegation

The Honorable Penny Pritzker, United States Secretary of Commerce (DOC), has released the names of the DOC staff who accompanied her to the Republic of Cuba in October 2015. 

The Secretary and her staff spent five months attempting to conceal the names of DOC staff, both those accompanying her to the Republic of Cuba and DOC employees visiting the Republic of Cuba since December 2014 independent of her visit; requiring multiple requests under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The Honorable Thomas Vilsack, United States Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), also required FOIA requests to obtain the names of the staff who accompanied him to the Republic of Cuba in November 2015 and USDA employees visiting the Republic of Cuba since December 2014 independent of his visit; requiring multiple requests under provisions of the FOIA.

The Honorable Anthony Foxx, United States Secretary of Transportation (DOT), released the names of staff who accompanied him to the Republic of Cuba in February 2016 and DOT employees visiting the Republic of Cuba since December 2014 independent of his visit without requiring requests under provisions of the FOIA.

The Obama Administration has required that the FOIA be used to request the names and titles of most employees of the United States government who have visited the Republic of Cuba since 17 December 2014 for the purpose of official discussions with representatives of the government of the Republic of Cuba.  Yet, the United States Department of State confirms that such information is not considered to be classified, secret or top secret; just generally not provided.

With more than one hundred and forty (140) employees having visited (not including United States government employees preparing for the 21/22 March 2016 visit by President Obama to the Republic of Cuba), and more than sixty (60) representatives of the government of the Republic of Cuba having visited the United States, there is a disconnect…. President Obama is actively marketing the revisions in the relationship between the United States and the Republic of Cuba, yet does not want everyone to know who is participating in the process.

The names and titles of representatives of the United States government who have visited the Republic of Cuba since 17 December 2014 is of value to the United States business community as the data provides a) evidence of activity b) specific areas of engagement and c) specific contacts for representatives of United States companies.

OFAC Changes Coming For Travelers To Cuba & For Banks (Shifting Burden For Compliance)

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The Obama Administration will be announcing changes to the process for individuals subject to United States law who are eligible to visit the Republic of Cuba, including changes to regulations that will encourage United States financial institutions to provide support to the soon-to-be operational regularly-scheduled commercial flights between the United States and the Republic of Cuba.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury will be lowering the threshold for which an individual traveling to the Republic of Cuba would need to be under the auspice of an organized visit; resulting in more travelers visiting independently.  This will be the honor system... on steroids. 

There will be an impact upon non-profit entities and for-profit companies that organize group tours as individuals and couples, etc., may find less expensive travel options and can better configure authorized itineraries to profile specific interests.

The OFAC will further shift the burden of compliance with travel-related and financial-related transactions from the provider of the services (airlines, credit card companies, banks, etc.) to the user of the services.  United States financial institutions have been advocating for these changes since the beginning of 2015 as a condition to further engage in tandem with regulations issued by the OFAC and by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the United States Department of Commerce.

The changes are designed to have credit card and debit card terminals (especially at airports and, to a lesser extent, hotels) throughout the Republic of Cuba accepting credit cards and debit cards issued by United States Banks by the time that regularly-scheduled commercial airline service commences, expected by June 2016.

The first beneficiary will be Pompano Beach, Florida, based Stonegate Bank (2015 assets approximately US$2.3 billion) which in 2015 established a Direct Correspondent Banking Agreement with Republic of Cuba government-operated Banco Internacional de Comercio SA (BICSA), a member of Republic of Cuba government-operated Grupo Nuevo Banca SA, created by Corporate Charter No. 49 on 29 October 1993 and commenced operation on 3 January 1994. 

Thus far, Stonegate Bank is not using the Direct Correspondent Banking Agreement because BICSA has restrictions upon its establishing an account at Stonegate Bank, which is now using a Panama-based financial institution to triangularly move funds from the United States to the Republic of Cuba; a process that generally takes twenty-four hours.

Stonegate Bank also provides commercial operating accounts for the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Washington, DC.

Stonegate Bank is expected to be the financial institution that will service some of the United States-based air carriers and provide support for United States-based financial institutions with the implementation of the use of VISA-branded credit/debit cards and MasterCard credit/debit cards.

The goal of the Obama Administration is to continue, through expansive commercial engagement, pressure upon the government of the Republic of Cuba to increase resources directed to the tourism sector, with an expectation (hope) that the government of the Republic of Cuba will direct opportunities to United States-based companies.  The OFAC is considering whether to authorize United States-based hospitality companies to contract to provide services within the Republic of Cuba. 

With an increase in visitors from the United States, there is an increase in funds earned by Republic of Cuba nationals employed, directly and indirectly, in the tourism industry- including hotels, restaurants (private and government-operated), transportation, retail, farming, tour guides, etc.  As these individuals increase their earnings, they resurrect a middle class that the Revolution of 1959 sought to dismantle. 

The expectation is the government of the Republic of Cuba will be required to develop policies, regulations and laws that provide opportunities for all Republic of Cuba nationals to increase their earnings, rather than seek means to lessen the earnings of the resurrected middle class.

FedEx Seeks Cargo Flights To Cuba; UPS Not Yet

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FedEx is seeking to operate one daily all-cargo scheduled-service frequency (to be operated five days a week between Miami, Florida and Havana, Cuba.

FedEx is seeking an allocation of a single daily frequency, which it would operate five days a week (Monday-Friday) on a routing MIA-HAV-MID-MIA.

The connections to Merida, Mexico would be operated on a blind-sector basis, as that freight is needed to provide the proper revenue basis so that the flights can be economically viable.

The flights would be operated on a year-round (non-seasonal) basis. FedEx will be using is a purple-tail Boeing 757-200SF for its proposed service. 

Given the complexities of setting up operations in Cuba with ground and customs clearance capabilities, FedEx respectfully requests a 120-day start-up period.

FedEx proposes a start-up date of September 1, 2016, or no later than the end of the mandated start-up period.

Operational Challenges For Airlines With Routes To Cuba

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There is a ninety (90) day "use or loose" component of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) route application process.  Routes awarded to air carriers generally must be used within a certain period or the routes revert to the DOT for further distribution.

The route pleadings for flights from the United States to Havana are oversubscribed by more than 200% while the routes for the outlying cities are oversubscribed.

For passengers, round-trip flights from the United States to the Republic of Cuba may be 30% to 50% below existing levels.

The government of the Republic of Cuba is seeking to funnel passengers to airports outside of Havana, but existing United States law does not authorize leisure (tourist) travel to the Republic of Cuba.  Most visitors from the United States on approved journeys want to include and/or need to include Havana due to historical and cultural venue locations.  Most of the Republic of Cuba's one-star to three-star all-inclusive tourism-focused hotels are located outside of Havana.

Challenges to the route application process will be how the DOT manages any pleading from the non-legacy, including secondary-market air carriers Alaska Airlines, Eastern, Frontier, Sun Country, Spirit, Southwest, Dynamic, Frontier, etc..  They will argue for representation among the route authorities.  But, the majority of their passengers are seeking low airfares and may focus upon leisure travel (vacations) to the Republic of Cuba, which are not permitted under United States law.  Will they be financially able to commit resources to regularly-schedule operate flights that could be unprofitable?

There will be operational challenges for each of the United States air carriers that receive approval from the DOT for regularly-scheduled airline services from the United States to the Republic of Cuba.

The airlines are likely to seek authorization from the government of the Republic of Cuba to install satellite-based high-speed internet services for use by ticketing agents at each of the to-be-serviced airports.

The airlines are seeking to have the government of the Republic of Cuba introduce electronic visas, rather than the paper visas currently used for passengers.

The airlines are likely to request authorization from the government of the Republic of Cuba to establish offices in Central Havana; likely at a hotel, such as the Nacional.  Given that American Airlines is expected to receive the majority of routes from the DOT given the importance of its operational at Miami International Airport (MIA), where the majority of individuals of Cuban descent reside, American Airlines would be expected to be the first airline with a non-airport based ticket office in the Republic of Cuba.

American Airlines is seeking approximately 50% of the flight routes from the United States to Havana as not only will individuals of Cuban descent be using the flights from MIA, but authorized travelers using cruise ships will transfer through MIA.

The airline receiving DOT authority to operate the most number of flights will be non-voluntarily subsidizing the other airlines' staff training programs and the training programs for all Republic of Cuba airport employees simply because the airline will have the largest number of employees to train and they will, in turn, share their knowledge. 

The government of the Republic of Cuba is planning to construct a new terminal (or a transformation of an existing structure) at Jose Marti International Airport that would focus upon air carriers from the United States.  This terminal would have a membership club, likely an American Airlines Admirals Club of United Airlines United Club. 

The airlines will request that all flights use Terminal 3, the terminal with jet bridges, a more efficient baggage transfer system, higher quality passenger amenities, and better infrastructure for airline ticket counters.  Currently, flights from/to the United States use Terminal 2, which is inefficient, old, and without current operational necessities.  

Currently, an aircraft arriving from the United States and then returning to the United States requires at least two hours; the air carriers need that turnaround to be reduced to one hour.

The airlines also want another runway constructed at Jose Marti International Airport.

The government of the Republic of Cuba may have capacity to initially authorize all of the requested routes to become operational due to infrastructure issues.

The Proposed Cuba Schedules Of The 13 Airlines That Submitted DOT Applications

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United States Department of Transportation
2016 US-Cuba Frequency Allocation Proceeding
2 March 2016

Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Dynamic International Airways
Eastern Air Lines
Federal Express
Frontier Airlines
JetBlue Airways
Silver Airways
Southwest Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Sun Country Airlines
United Airlines

Alaska Airlines, Inc. proposes to operate double-daily scheduled combination service on: 1) a Seattle-Los Angeles-Havana routing; and 2) a Portland-Los Angeles-Havana routing, both using 181-seat Boeing 737-900ER aircraft. The core of Alaska's proposal is twice-daily nonstop roundtrip service between Los Angeles and Havana, with once-daily service between its Seattle hub and Havana via Los Angeles and once-daily service between Portland and Havana via Los Angeles. 1 Alaska will institute service on its daily Seattle-Los Angeles-Havana flight as early as August 1, 2016, and on its daily Portland-Los Angeles-Havana flight as early as August 28, 2016, but in any event, both flights will commence no later than 90 days following receipt of all required governmental approvals.  Alaska will use B737-900ER aircraft (with 16 First Class seats and 165 Economy Class seats for a total of 181 seats) to serve the route.  Alaska's Portland-Los Angeles-Havana service will operate using a single plane and single flight number in each direction. The Seattle-Los Angeles-Havana service will operate using a plane/single flight number on the outbound route; on the return, Seattle-bound passengers will connect at Los Angeles.


American plans to commence service as described herein 90 days after the issuance of a final order in the 2016 US-Cuba Frequency Allocation Proceeding and/or as authorized by the Department in the 2016 US-Cuba Frequency Allocation Proceeding. American’s service as requested in this proceeding will be operated as follows: Ten year-round daily frequencies between Miami International Airport and Havana’s José Martí International Airport.  One year-round daily frequency between Charlotte Douglas International Airport and HAV.  One year-round daily frequency between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and HAV.  One year-round weekly frequency between Los Angeles International Airport and HAV.  One year-round weekly frequency between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and HAV.  Two year-round daily frequencies between MIA and Santa Clara’s Abel Santamaría Airport.  Two year-round daily frequencies between MIA and Holguín’s Frank País Airport.  Two year-round daily frequencies between MIA and Varadero’s Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport.  One year-round daily frequency between MIA and Camagüey’s Ignacio Agramonte International Airport.  One year-round daily frequency between MIA and Cienfuegos’s Jaime González Airport.  American proposes to operate all US-Cuba service with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, except for CLT-HAV and DFW-HAV, which will be operated with Airbus A-319 aircraft.  Only American’s proposal ensures sufficient scheduled service between MIA and Cuba. American’s proposed schedule of ten daily frequencies to HAV and eight daily frequencies to other stations in Cuba from MIA matches the current charter flight demand and anticipates the expected near-term growth in demand that will follow from the historic resumption of scheduled flights.  With the prohibition on tourist travel, however, demand for US-Cuba service from outside Miami is necessarily limited, and any decision that simply distributes frequencies to various US carriers at other gateways without regard for the far greater demand generated by the Cuban-American community in Miami will fail to “maximize public benefits” and would defeat the US Government’s objectives for this proceeding. Simply put, the Department should not allow parochial aviation interests to trump the Administration’s broader policy objectives for US-Cuba relations.


Delta requests the following frequencies from the current distribution, in order of priority:  One daily, seven days a week, frequency for New York (JFK)-Havana; One daily, seven days a week, frequency for Atlanta-Havana; Two daily, seven days a week, frequencies for Miami-Havana; and One daily, seven days a week, frequency for Orlando-Havana.  Delta’s first priority for Cuba service is a daily New York (JFK)-Havana flight. Delta plans to start this new flight July 1, 2016, following the receipt of all necessary foreign and domestic approvals. Delta requires a minimum of one daily, seven days a week, frequency for its proposed JFK-Havana service. The service will be operated on a year-round basis. Delta will use Boeing 757-200s, equipped with 20 First Class seats, 29 Delta Comfort+ (premium economy) seats, and 150 economy class seats.  Delta’s second priority is to secure frequencies for a daily Atlanta-Havana flight. Delta will use Boeing 757-200s, equipped with 20 First Class seats, 29 Comfort+ (premium economy) seats, and 150 economy class seats.  Delta’s third priority is to secure two daily frequencies for Miami-Havana. Delta requires a minimum of one daily, seven days a week, frequencies for its proposed Miami-Havana service; and would only accept a full-week grant for a second daily flight, for a total of 14 round trips a week. Although Delta is enthusiastic about providing needed competition in Miami, we urge the Department to seek competitive balance in frequency awards from this important gateway. Commercially, it becomes challenging to offer competitive service on a route when another carrier has vastly more frequencies than other airlines. Delta will use Boeing 737-800s, equipped with 16 First Class seats, 18 Comfort+ (premium economy) seats, and 126 economy class seats. DL-102. The new service would be funded from Delta’s existing fleet of 69 737-800s.  Delta’s final priority is to serve Havana from Orlando (MCO). Delta requires a minimum of one daily, seven days a week, frequency for its proposed Orlando-Havana service. The service will be operated on a year-round basis. Delta will use Boeing 737-800s, equipped with 16 First Class seats, 18 Comfort+ (premium economy) seats, and 126 economy class seats.


Dynamic is a well established passenger and all-cargo carrier that holds certificates of public convenience and necessity authorizing it to engage in interstate and foreign charter air transportation of persons, property and mail. Dynamic also holds certificates of public convenience and necessity authorizing it to engage in interstate and foreign scheduled air transportation of persons, property, and mail. Though the Department has not yet made Dynamic’s scheduled certificates effective, Dynamic anticipates effective scheduled authority within the next couple of months and well in advance of its proposed start date for scheduled service to Cuba. Pursuant to its Department and FAA authority,  Dynamic currently operates a fleet of seven Boeing 767 passenger and freighter aircraft in foreign and domestic service. Dynamic plans to operate less than daily round-trips between New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.


Eastern respectfully applies for the following authority to engage in scheduled, foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail between any point or points in the United States and any point or points in Cuba: an exemption from the provisions of 49 USC § 41101, for an initial, two-year period, authorizing Eastern to operate such service; and an allocation of combination service frequencies, of indefinite duration, so as to permit Eastern to operate one daily flight between Miami and Havana, three weekly flights between Miami and Camagüey, and three weekly flights between Miami and Holguín.  A comparatively recent entrant to the longstanding US-Cuba passenger charter market, Eastern has operated, for ViajeHoy d/b/a Havana Air, approximately 90 charter flights monthly between Havana and five Cuban cities: Havana, Camagüey, Holguín, Santa Clara, and Santiago de Cuba.


FedEx is seeking to operate one daily all-cargo scheduled-service frequency (to be operated five days a week, as further explained herein) between Miami, Florida and Havana, Cuba. FedEx is seeking an allocation of a single daily frequency, which it would operate five days a week (Monday-Friday) on a routing MIA-HAV-MID-MIA. The connections to Merida, Mexico would be operated on a blind-sector basis, as that freight is needed to provide the proper revenue basis so that the flights can be economically viable. The flights would be operated on a year-round (non-seasonal) basis. FedEx will be using is a purple-tail Boeing 757-200SF for its proposed service.  Given the complexities of setting up operations in Cuba with ground and customs clearance capabilities, FedEx respectfully requests a 120-day start-up period. FedEx proposes a start-up date of September 1, 2016, or no later than the end of the mandated start-up period.


Frontier Airlines, Inc. hereby requests that the following frequencies for operations to/from Cuba be granted to it: Four daily frequencies to/from José Marti International Airport; One daily frequency to/from Antonio Maceo Airport; One daily frequency on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to/from Ignacio Agramonte International Airport; One daily frequency on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday to/from Abel Santamaría Airport; and Two daily frequencies on Saturday to/from Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport.  It appears that the largest population eligible to travel to Cuba are those permitted to do so to visit “close relatives” there (31 CFR § 515.561). Thus, the population most likely to desire transportation to Cuba are Cuban-Americans, who are most likely to have close relatives in Cuba. Frontier is the only domestic ULCC operating at Miami International Airport and as such, is ideally suited to be awarded frequencies in this proceeding.  The population of Cuban Americans living in Miami-Dade County is over ten times higher than even the Cuban American population in the county with the second largest population, its neighbor, Broward County. This makes Miami International Airport the most important airport for the award and utilization of the frequencies to Cuba and why Frontier has proposed that eighty percent of the frequencies it is requesting be operated between Miami and Cuba.


JetBlue wishes to immediately initiate service between the United States and numerous points in Cuba as soon as all regulatory approvals are obtained. JetBlue requests that its exemption authority be granted for a period of at least two years and that 15 daily frequencies be granted on an indefinite basis.  JetBlue’s service proposal includes:  Year-round daily non-stop service in nine US-Cuba markets, including the two largest and most important markets, Ft. Lauderdale/South Florida-Havana and New York-Havana, as well as from Orlando-Havana, Tampa-Havana, Newark-Havana, Boston-Havana, Ft. Lauderdale-Santa Clara, Ft. Lauderdale-Holguin, and Ft. Lauderdale-Camaguey. Service to Cuba on JetBlue’s largest aircraft, Airbus A321s, as well as on Airbus A320s.  Service commencement as soon as all regulatory approvals are obtained. JetBlue anticipates a start date of September 8, 2016 or within 100 days after receipt of all necessary approvals (whichever is earlier).  JetBlue has grown to be a leading airline in the Caribbean with more than 100 average daily flights, particularly from New York City and Ft. Lauderdale. JetBlue is the largest airline in both of the Caribbean’s largest markets, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and has continued to grow in the Caribbean while legacy carriers have simultaneously reduced service in the region. In fact, JetBlue served the most destinations in the Caribbean from the Northeast with the most flights and seats of any airline in 2015.


Silver Airways’ service proposal maximizes air service opportunities for several US communities that otherwise would not receive convenient non-stop or one-stop scheduled air service to Cuba. Given the size of the Cuban American population in the Florida markets from which Silver Airways proposes to operate Cuba service, the airline’s proposal will significantly enhance options for family visits in the US-Cuba market, which is directly relevant in this proceeding given that Cuban Americans comprise the vast majority of likely Cuba travelers.  Silver Airways, Florida’s leading regional airline operator, is pleased to propose the following scheduled services:  Year-round four times weekly non-stop service between José Martí International Airport and Palm Beach International Airport, complemented by single plane same flight number continuing service to Tampa International Airport, and year-round three times weekly non-stop service between HAV and Fort Myers/Southwest Florida International Airport, complemented by singe plane same flight number continuing service to Orlando International Airport, with each such HAV route to be operated on different days of the week. This proposed service would entail, in the aggregate, an allocation of one available HAV frequency and effectively impact directly four Florida communities.  Year-round five times weekly non-stop service between HAV and Key West International Airport, complemented by single plane same flight number continuing service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and year-round two times weekly non-stop service between HAV and Jacksonville International Airport, complemented by single plane same flight number continuing to Tampa International Airport, with each such HAV route operated on different days of the week. This proposed service would entail, in the aggregate, an allocation of one available HAV frequency, and effectively impact directly four Florida communities.  Year-round four times weekly non-stop service between HAV and RSW, complemented by single plane same flight number continuing service to MCO, and year-round three times weekly non-stop service between HAV and PBI, complemented by single plane same flight number continuing service to TPA, with each such HAV route operated on different days of the week. This proposed service would entail, in the aggregate, an allocation of one available HAV frequency.  Year-round daily non-stop service between HAV and FLL. This proposed service would entail an allocation of one available HAV frequency.  Year-round daily non-stop service between HAV and PBI. This proposed service would entail an allocation of one available HAV frequency.  Year-round daily non-stop service between FLL and each of Abel Santamaría Airport in Santa Clara, Frank País Airport in Holguín, Cuba, and Antonio Maceo Airport in Santiago de Cuba, with each such Cuba route entailing the allocation of one frequency from the available frequencies set aside for the Cuban airport concerned.  Year-round five times weekly service between FLL and Ignacio Agramonte International Airport in Camagüey. This proposed service would entail an allocation of one available CMW frequency.  Year-round four times weekly service between FLL and Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport in Matanzas, Cuba. This proposed service would entail an allocation of one available VRA frequency.  Year-round three times weekly service between FLL and each of Jardines del Rey Airport in Cayo Coco and Sierra Maestra Airport in Manzanillo, with each such Cuba route entailing the allocation of one frequency from the available frequencies set aside for the Cuban airport concerned.  Year-round two times weekly service between FLL and Jaime González Airport in Cienfuegos. This proposed service would entail an allocation of one available CFG frequency.  Year-round one time per-week service between FLL and Vilo Acuña Airport in Cayo Largo, Cuba. This proposed service would entail an allocation of one available CYO frequency.


Southwest Airlines Co. hereby applies for the following frequency allocations:  Six daily frequencies for Fort Lauderdale-Havana.  Two daily frequencies for Tampa-Havana.  One daily frequency for Orlando-Havana.  Two daily frequencies for Fort Lauderdale-Varadero.  One daily frequency for Fort Lauderdale-Santa Clara.  Hereby applies an exemption from 49 U.S.C. § 41101 for an indefinite period of time to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between points in the United States and points in Cuba.  Southwest will operate all of its proposed service to/from Havana with 175-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft and all three proposed round trips between FLL and VRA and SNU will be flown with 143-seat Boeing 737-700’s. Southwest will operate all designated frequencies seven days a week in all seasons of the year. Details of Southwest’s flight schedule are contained in its Cuba Frequency Allocation Application.


Spirit is requesting an exemption from 49 USC § 41101 authorizing it to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail between points in the United States and points in Cuba, and specifically to be awarded an allocation of two roundtrip frequencies under the terms of the US-Cuba Memorandum of Understanding dated February 16, 2016 to operate year-round between Fort Lauderdale and Havana at its ultra-low fares.  Spirit plans to initiate year-round non-stop service on this route on December 1, 2016. The flights to Havana will primarily operate with Airbus A-319 aircraft with 145 seats. Since all Spirit aircraft are a part of the common A-320 family, Spirit can substitute larger A-320 (178 seats) or A-321 (228 seats) to accommodate higher loads based on changing demand, holidays or the reduction or elimination of current travel restrictions.  If Spirit is not granted its full request, it would accept an award of one daily roundtrip frequency. Spirit would not accept a backup award.


Sun Country hereby applies for an exemption order and allocation of frequencies to provide year-round, scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and cargo between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Havana, 1-stop via Fort Myers, Florida, year-round nonstop service between RSW and HAV, and winter seasonal service between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Santa Clara and Matanzas Cuba and a year-round, non-stop between MSP and HAV.  Sun Country proposes to commence twice-a-week, Friday and Monday, year-round scheduled service from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport with one stop at Southwest Florida International Airport to Havana's Jose Marti International Airport on Friday, November 11, 2016. Sun Country would further like to commence once-a-week Saturday, seasonal service from MSP to Juan Gualberto Gomez Airpmi in Matanzas, Cuba on Saturday, December 17, 2016 through April 29, 2017, and once-a week seasonal service from MSP to Abel Santamaria Airport in Santa Clara on Sunday, December 18, 2016 through April 30, 2017. Sun Country also proposes a second, twice-a-week, Saturday and Sunday, year-round scheduled service from MSP to HAV to commence on Saturday, December 17, 2016.  Sun Country will provide this new service utilizing Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 162 seats or Boeing 737-700 aircraft with 126 seats.


United applies for an exemption from 49 USC § 41101 authorizing United to provide scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail, as follows: Year-round daily round-trip service between Newark/New York City and Havana with additional Saturday-only service, utilizing 1.1 daily frequencies (or the equivalent of eight weekly frequencies).  Year-round Saturday-only round-trip service between each of Houston, Washington, D.C., and Chicago, and Havana, utilizing individually 0.1 daily frequencies and collectively 0.3 daily frequencies (or the equivalent of three weekly frequencies).  United seeks a total allocation of 1.4 daily round-trip (or the equivalent of 11 weekly) US-Cuba round-trip combination frequencies.  United proposes to start its Cuba service on August 15, 2016, or 90 days from the Department’s issuance of a final order in this proceeding, whichever occurs later. This standard start-up period is necessary to give United sufficient time to obtain Cuban government approval, establish the infrastructure necessary for its Havana operations, and generate sufficient advanced ticket sales. United asks that its exemption authority be effective for a period of at least two years and that its frequency allocation remain in effect indefinitely, subject to the Department’s standard conditions.

US Expected To Authorize Banks In Cuba To Have Correspondent Accounts With US Banks

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As a component to the continuing series of regulatory changes implemented by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury, the Obama Administration is preparing to authorize Republic of Cuba government-operated financial institutions to have correspondent accounts with financial institutions located in the United States.

The purpose of the regulatory change is to further the efficiency of the commercial payment process for exports from the United States to the Republic of Cuba and for the transfer of funds related to travel by individuals subject to United States law to the Republic of Cuba, specifically United States-based air carriers that will commence regularly-scheduled flights to the Republic of Cuba in 2016.

There remains concern that funds contained in a bank account established in the United States by a Republic of Cuba government-operated bank (or other entity) could be subject to civil action by an individual with a claim against the government of the Republic of Cuba.  

In 2015, Pompano Beach, Florida-based Stonegate Bank (2014 assets approximately US$2.3 billion) signed a Direct Correspondent Banking Agreement with Republic of Cuba government-operated Banco Internacional de Comercio SA (BICSA), a member of Republic of Cuba government-operated Grupo Nuevo Banca SA, created by Corporate Charter No. 49 on 29 October 1993 and commenced operation on 3 January 1994.

Stonegate Bank also provides commercial operating accounts for the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Washington, DC.

Statutes, and Regulations issued by the OFAC have required that transactions relating to commercial exports from the United States to the Republic of Cuba be subject to a triangular payment process.

The Republic of Cuba-based entity places an order with a United States-based company.  The Republic of Cuba-based entity then either transfers funds from the Republic of Cuba to a third country financial institution or uses existing funds in a third country financial institution.  The third country financial institution transfers the funds to a financial institution (either within the United States or another country) selected by the United States-based company.  This process generally takes two to five days (if a weekend, for example) and there are transfer costs to the Republic of Cuba-based entity and United States-based company.

With the Stonegate Bank/BICSA Agreement, the Republic of Cuba-based entity would transfer funds (using SWIFT codes) from its account at BICSA directly to Stonegate or would use existing funds at the BICSA account at Stonegate.  The funds would then be transferred from Stonegate to the financial institution selected by the United States-based company.  The process generally can be confirmed during a business day; and the transfer costs are lower for both seller and buyer.

Hotel In Havana Has Issues; But How Staff Handles Them Shows Effort

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From A Guest...

Reserved a room for two nights at Hotel Mecure Sevilla Habane using the online site at www.accor.com.  Euros 176.30 (approximately US$193.93) per night for two nights (Euros 340.72) including buffet breakfast each morning in VIP rooftop ballroom.  CUC 184.11 per night for two nights (CUC 388.22).  US$1.00 equals .873 CUC; US$100.00 equals 87.30 CUC.   

In the United States, the appropriate value for the room (given the infrastructure condition) would be approximately US$120.00 per night.  For comparison, the nearby Hotel Saratoga has a rack-rate of approximately US$500.00 per night, but offers the nearest guest experience to a five-star (based upon United States rating system) property.

Arrived to the hotel approximately 12:15 pm; check-in time is 2:00 pm.  The property is managed by France-based Accor Hotels.  

Representative at the front desk shared that every effort would be made to have the room promptly available; the hotel was sold-out the previous night so there were no rooms available for an early check-in.  The guest retired to the lobby to have lunch (CUC 12.00)- tuna sandwich with a small salad and Cafe Cubano and bottled water.  The meal was good and the service was prompt.

The Public Relations/Concierge, Pupo, confirmed dinner reservations for the guest.

Provided with a welcome glass of juice before going to the room.  Room 802 was available at 2:00 pm; on 8th floor (of nine floors), corner with views of Morro Castle and Port of Havana.

Disappointment.  Floor was dirty.  The chain link locking mechanism on the door was broken.  No laundry bag or laundry list document.  Toilet was not flushed.  No bathmat.  No facial tissue.  Did not see the television channel listing (although it was in the booklet describing hotel services; guest did not look for it).  The room (and hotel) needs to be scrubbed and painted and polished.  

The guest reasonably determined that in an effort to have the room available, the housekeeping staff was too hurried; a supervisor may have not given a final check of the room.  It happens.  The guest did not make mention of any of the issues to staff at the front desk. 

The guest departed the room at 3:15 pm and returned to the room at 10:00 pm.  

The next morning, guest left 5.00 CUC in an envelope on the bed for the housekeeper (as all guests should do).  Breakfast was good with a varied selection of items; service was prompt.  The guest departed the room at 9:00 am and returned to the room at 10:00 pm. 

Upon entering the room:

There are matching rugs on each side of the bed.  The booklet describing hotel services is open to the television listing and placed (upright so as to be visible) next to the television.  There is a robe in the bathroom.  Two packages of facial tissue.  Two laundry bags are in the closet with a laundry list for each placed on the respective bag. Floor cleaned.  Many bathroom small-bottle amenities- soap (liquid and bar), shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer.  Door chain lock piece remained broken.  Bed turned-down.  Animal (with little wooden pieces for eyes) created from several towels is on the bed.  A note written in English on paper cut in the shape of a heart with a "smiley face" reads:

"Good Evening.  We hope you have enjoyed your stay in our hotel and we wish you a nice trip tomorrow.  Come back soon.  Your maids. Dranefa and Theresa."

The guest left 10.00 CUC in an envelope on the bed for the housekeepers the morning of departure.

Why should this matter?

The guest had made a list of the issues and placed it on the desk with other papers and items; not so the staff would see it, but so the issues could be addressed in a note to the manager (not posted on TripAdvisor) after departure. 

The guest was prepared to be resigned to an example of a challenged tourism sector where consistency of quality suffers due to a Republic of Cuba government-operated company (Gran Caribe in this instance) which owns the property and, in this instance, a France-based company, Accor Hotels (which manages the property) earning significant revenues in convertible currencies, but making most payments to employees in substantially lack of value non-convertible Pesos.  Thus, a lack of workforce incentives; pride from effort.  The employees know what the guest pays in comparison to what they are paid.

But this instance was different..... In a positive way. 

Did the housekeeping staff read the note?  Do not know; not important really.  What's important is with the exception of one issue (the lock), the other issues were addressed, and in a manner with grace, with style.

Upon check-out, a staff member at the front desk asked guest to please provide a review to TripAdvisor.....  It would be a good review.

If President Castro Remains First Secretary Of The PCC, There Could Be Complications With Libertad Act Provision In 2018

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If President Raul Castro runs and is re-elected on 16 April 2016 to a five-year term as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Republic of Cuba, there may be implications for 2016, 2017 and 2018 legislative initiatives in the United States Congress.

From Wikipedia: "The Communist Party of Cuba (Spanish: Partido Comunista de Cuba, PCC) is the only political party permitted to rule in the Republic of Cuba, although others exist. It is a Communist party of the Marxist-Leninist model. The Cuban constitution ascribes the role of the Party to be the "leading force of society and of the state." As of April 2011, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba is Raúl Castro, the President of Cuba, younger brother of the previous First Secretary and President of Cuba, Fidel Castro, and the Second Secretary is [85-year-old] José Ramón Machado Ventura."

The Communist Party of the Republic of Cuba will hold its Seventh Congress on 16 April 2016.

President Castro is scheduled to retire on 24 February 2018.

The Libertad Act (Helms-Burton) of 1996 has a provision that requires a government of the Republic of Cuba that does not include either (former president) Fidel Castro or Rail Castro as one of the conditions required for a normalization of the bilateral relationship.  If President Castro retires as president, but remains First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Republic of Cuba, then there may be a question as to whether that provision of the Libertad Act would be no longer relevant.

Members of Congress supporting legislation to rescind the Cuban Democracy Act (CDA) of 1992, Libertad Act and Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSREEA) of 2000, are expecting to use the retirement of President Castro and fulfillment of a provision of the Libertad Act as a means to obtain support from Members of Congress who may agree that there needs to be changes to statutes, but do not want to be perceived as "rewarding" the Castro brothers.