Miami, United States. – Cuban -American congresswoman María Elvira Salazar reacted on Wednesday to the promotion of three study packages for lawyers and law students in Florida who – according to the responsible travel agency, American– They offer the opportunity to visit Havana in order to “observe” the functioning of the legal system in Cuba.
“I just saw that they are sponsoring law students from Florida to visit Cuba and ‘learn’ about their justice system,” Salazar wrote on the social network X. “The same ‘justice’ as silence and imprisoned in rigged processes those who dare to speak against the regime! What a shame! ”Added the legislator.
I just saw that they are sponsoring law students from Florida to visit Cuba and “learn” about their justice system.
The same “justice” that silencing and imprisons in rigged processes to those who dare to speak against the regime!
What a shame! pic.twitter.com/fdbqxe0vci
– Rep. María Elvira Salazar (@repmariasalazar) February 5, 2025
Salazar refers to the three travel packages sold by Americanwhich is defined as a company “Legal Travel leader to Cuba since 2002”. The program, which is Accredited by the Florida Bar Association (Florida Bar Association)promises a four -day itinerary (in April and May of this year) with various academic, legal and cultural activities in Havana.
The objective, according to the Travel Agency, is that the participants “learn Law and Business in Cuba” and benefit from “a series of personalized conferences presented by outstanding lawyers, economists, journalists and other contemporary professionals in Cuba.”
The price of each of the packages amounts to $ 1898 (USD) per person plus the plane ticket.
The program, disseminated under the name “Cuba for Bar Associations” (continuous legal education credits), includes various conferences and panels on issues such as arbitration, dispute resolution, foreign investment and law Environmental He even mentions that “age -based panels (young lawyers), gender (lawyers), profession (private sector)” have been organized, with the aim of promoting open dialogue “and offering visitors” a honest exchange ”with their local counterparts.
The official itinerary It also includes cultural activities such as visits to the pure factory, the Ron Museum and the tour in an American classic car in the 50s through the Malecon and residential areas of Miramar.
The program also mentions a visit to Ernest Hemingway’s house and a food in Cojímar. It also emphasizes that, despite the ideological differences between Havana and Washington, the objective of these exchanges is “to build good will, trust and lasting relationships.”
However, activists and NGOs have historically denounced that these types of experiences would only serve to “bleach” judicial practices that systematically violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of Cubans. Among the most frequent criticisms is the lack of independence of the Judiciary, which directly responds to the interests of the Communist Party of Cuba.
Likewise, various international entities have denounced the existence of judgments lacking procedural guarantees and the deprivation of liberty of opponents, artists, journalists and citizens who exercise their right to freedom of expression.
AmericanAcuba is presented as specialized in “education and culture trips” and ensures that he works with “general licenses” issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), within the categories that the Government of States United considers it admissible to visit the island.
In his promotional material, he points out more than 20 years of experience and mentions that he has served as a bridge for “organizations interested in knowing more about this fascinating society and interesting culture”, with emphasis on programs for universities and religious groups.
In addition, It is presented as a “family business managed directly by its owners.” “We are Scandinavian and we start with specialized tours throughout Scandinavia. We have worked directly with Cuba since before inaugural flights from the United States began, ”says the presentation of the agency, whose owner is Ivar Fisskaa.
American , “Cuba Explorer” (seven days, 2,999 USD), “5 -star VIP Experience” (3,000 USD) and “Discover the natural wonders of Cuba” (eight days, from February 23 to March 2, 2025, by 2,875 USD for two people, not including aerial ticket).
Even, as recorded on the company’s website, a group trip has just finished to attend the Havana Jazz Festival (from January 26 to February 2) by the USD Value 1,995 for two people, not counting the plane tickets or the festival tickets.
