Port of Cleveland signs memo of understanding with Cuba's maritime administration

HAVANA – The port authority of Cleveland, Ohio, and Cuba's maritime administration have signed a memo of understanding. 

This is the first event of its kind since the U.S. decided to pull its diplomats from their embassy in Havana after the diplomats suffered symptoms they say are related to some sort of attacks. 

The U.S. also told Cuba this week to pull 15 of its diplomats from their Washington, D.C., embassy.

According to Reuters, part of that group includes Cubans who were dealing with U.S. businesses, which may lead to more setbacks in U.S.-Cuba relations.  

"Our job is not to try and interpret what our government has to say," Darrell McNail, with the Port of Cleveland, said. "We do feel that the trade relationship will develop over time, if not today, maybe tomorrow."

Cuba already has similar agreements with ports in Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama and Texas. 

In other news out of Cuba, a world-renowned bar in Havana called Floridita is celebrating its King of Kings contest with bartenders from all over the world.

Local 10's cameras were there as the last six semi-finalists battled to make the best daiquiri. 

Most of the contestants are Cuban, but on Friday, Local 10 News reporter Hatzel Vela saw a world-known Argentine bartender try to maintain his reputation. 
   


About the Author

In January 2017, Hatzel Vela became the first local television journalist in the country to move to Cuba and cover the island from the inside. During his time living and working in Cuba, he covered some of the most significant stories in a post-Fidel Castro Cuba. 

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