Congresswoman lashes out at tycoon for opening door to Cuba
Source: Washington Post
Congresswoman lashes out at tycoon for opening door to Cuba
By Peter Wallsten
February 3 at 3:59 pm
News that sugar tycoon and longtime anti-Castro exile leader Alfonso Fanjul has quietly traveled to Cuba and is open to doing business there prompted an angry response Monday from a Cuban American member of Congress, who called Fanjul’s actions “pathetic” and “shameful.”
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) released her statement in the wake of a Washington Post report quoting Fanjul as expressing an “open mind" to investing in Cuba “under the right circumstances.”
Her reaction shows how emotional and polarized the politics of U.S.-Cuba relations remain -- so much so that a lawmaker feels the need to lash out at one of the giants of American industry (and one whose family gives millions in donations to both parties). The Fanjuls own one of the world’s largest sugar empires -- growing, processing and refining cane sugar across the United States, Latin America and Europe.
It is impossible to overstate the importance of Fanjul and his brother Jose “Pepe” Fanjul to both parties. Alfonso, known as “Alfy,” is a major Democratic donor and fundraiser and is close with both Clintons. Republicans, including Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), look to the family for support, as well. Gov. Chris Christie headlined a reception in the midst of his scandal last month at the home of Alfy’s nephew, Pepe Jr.
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/02/03/congresswoman-lashes-out-at-tycoon-for-opening-door-to-cuba/?tid=hpModule_ba0d4c2a-86a2-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394
Story on Fanjul posted earlier by DU member Mika:
Sugar tycoon Alfonso Fanjul now open to investing in Cuba under ‘right circumstances’
http://www.democraticunderground.com/110825325
= new reply since forum marked as read
I'm so sick of the 1% I could scream.
She's a Republican. But much of her site is in SPANISH -- Coke commercial, anyone?
And there's the section of her website on which she says she'll help if you're having trouble signing up for social security, Medicare, Medicaid, or food stamps!!!!!!!!! Does Rush Limbo know about her? Are we sure she's a Republican??
- They're in favor of food stamps as long as they benefit. This way they can pay ''the help'' even less.
I would have bet a million it was wacky Ros-eanne Ros-eannadanna!!
58,209 Americans died in Vietnam, yet we now trade freely with the Vietnamese. Go into a big-box retailer and find clothes made in Vietnam (and Cambodia).
No Americans have died in Cuba (unless you count the four from the Bay of Pigs invasion), yet we still maintain this trade embargo.
