Sugar tycoon Alfonso Fanjul now open to investing in Cuba under ‘right circumstances’

[Mika]

Sugar tycoon Alfonso Fanjul now open to investing in Cuba under ‘right circumstances’

{snip}
Fanjul, who lives in Palm Beach, Fla., and whose family holdings include Domino Sugar and refineries across the United States, Latin America and Europe, has managed to maintain a remarkably low profile for a politically connected tycoon. His access to the highest levels of power was evident during the Monica Lewinsky scandal of the 1990s, when the special prosecutor’s report noted that President Bill Clinton received a call from Fanjul during a private Oval Office moment with the intern.

Last week, the Fanjul family’s influence over policymakers was on display when the U.S. House passed a farm bill that would cut subsidies to many agricultural products while leaving unscathed the controversial, taxpayer-backed program that protects sugar profits.

Fanjul visited Cuba in April 2012 and again in February 2013 as part of a delegation licensed through the Brookings Institution, the Washington think tank that has produced recent papers criticizing U.S. policy and calling on the Obama administration to further loosen sanctions. In Havana, he lingered with tears in his eyes at his family’s colonial-era manse, now a museum, with its elegant columns, lush inner courtyard, sparkling chandeliers and grand staircase.

He was so taken by the nostalgia and excitement of returning to the familiar streets of his youth, a travel companion recalled, that Fanjul enthusiastically chatted up random people of all ages as he walked around. He also met with Cuba’s foreign minister and toured state-run farms and a sugar mill with Cuban agricultural officials.

More al link ... http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sugar-tycoon-alfonso-fanjul-now-open-to-investing-in-cuba-under-right-circumstances/2014/02/02/4192b016-8708-11e3-a5bd-844629433ba3_story.html

[Demeter]

1. I think that would depend on Cuba

and odds are, Cuba wouldn't be very hospitable. They've been colonized before.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Congresswoman lashes out at tycoon for opening door to Cuba

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.

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

[flamingdem]

3. I find it interesting that the Fanjuls and other rich Cubans in Florida

donate to both sides. Even if they are vehemently pro or contra relations with Cuba they seem to put business first.

This is why I see this as a good sign. In the end it is a bit of a family affair.

[Mika]

4. Huh? Both sides (Dems and Repugs) support the sanctions on Cuba.

As I have always said, US sanctions on Cuba and American travel to Cuba is a bipartisan thing. Always been a mixed bag of pro and con in both parties.

[flamingdem]

5. But Dems like Kerry and Hagel would relax the rules if it wasn't for

the Ros-Lehtinen types.

Of course we also have Menendez to mess up my argument! And Debbie Wasserman Schulz.

I was thinking more about when I met the owners of a charter service in Miami, Cabanas whose father took him to Cuba, he is openly a supporter of the revolution -- and he donates to Republicans. In that case he wants the Embargo lifted but he's still playing both sides, maybe it helps his image but in what way -- I am thinking for this reason it's all about business and looking at the future.