U.S. Delegation Heads Back From Cuba Ahead Of Migration Talks Wednesday
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A delegation of congressional Democrats is expected back in the U.S. Monday after a weekend trip to Cuba.
The delegation is the first to visit Cuba since President Barack Obama announced a shift toward normalized relations with the communist country.
"We have had the same policy for over 50 years and it hasn't gotten the results we wanted. I think any common sense would tell you after 50 years you try something else," said U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan.
Over the weekend, the six Democrats met with Cuban government officials and ambassadors.
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The delegation's leader, Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, said in a statement Saturday that the lawmakers want to explore opportunities for greater cooperation and to encourage Cuban officials to address issues of concern to Americans and their representatives in Congress.
Traveling with Leahy were Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and congressmen Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Peter Welch of Vermont.
Meanwhile, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is planning a trade mission to Cuba now that new U.S. travel rules are in effect.
Last month, President Barack Obama announced plans for renewed economic ties and other administration-led initiatives aimed at re-establishing relations with Cuba. Many congressional Republicans have been cool to the effort.
Another U.S. delegation will head to Cuba on Wednesday for the bi-annual U.S.-Cuba migration talks.
While the agenda for the talks is not yet set, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said it will include the decision to re-establish diplomatic relations and related matters such as formally reopening embassies.
The migration talks, which are held roughly every six months, alternating between Cuba and the United States, cover ensuring safe, legal and orderly migration between the two nations.
