USA Rice Meets with New Cuban Ambassador to U.S.

WASHINGTON, DC – This morning, USA Rice joined other members of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) in a virtual call with newly appointed Cuban Ambassador to the United States Lianys Torres Rivera.  Torres Rivera took up her duties in January, concurrent with the transition to the Biden Administration and was among the first groups of diplomats to present credentials for approval.

The USACC supports agricultural trade between the U.S. and Cuba as the foundation for building successful and enduring relations between both countries, and this message was underscored in opening remarks to Ambassador Torres Rivera.  In January, USA Rice signed onto a letter from USACC that was sent to the new administration in support of expanding trade and travel relations with Cuba.

Torres Rivera emphasized the importance of groups like the USACC in helping reverse the damages to the U.S.-Cuba relationship over the last several years and moving forward to open new diplomatic and economic opportunities, particularly through Congressional engagement.  She spoke about the many benefits of an open trade relationship between the U.S. and Cuba, and the important role agriculture can play in making that possible.  Her top priority is ending the decades-long blockade, which could only be possible if diplomatic relations are fully reestablished, beginning with the reopening and staffing of the U.S. embassy in Havana.

“Cuba was once a robust market for U.S. rice exports and my grandfather was part of the generation of rice farmers lucky enough to see Cuba as a flourishing market for our crop,” said Mark Isbell, Arkansas rice farmer, USA Rice member, and longtime advocate for engagement with Cuba who represented the U.S. rice industry at the virtual meeting.  “While the economic benefits of rebuilding Cuba as a U.S. rice market would be great, reestablishing diplomatic ties and bringing U.S. resources to the Cuban people is also the right thing to do.  Considering the current political climate, now is the time to push for real, lasting changes.”

USA Rice invited the Ambassador and her staff to visit a U.S. rice farm or milling facility as one way to begin rebuilding the relationship.

Torres Rivera is the first woman from Cuba to serve as Ambassador to the U.S. and only the second to hold the role in nearly 60 years.  Prior to her appointment, she served as Cuba’s Ambassador to Viet Nam until being tapped in December to replace former Cuban Ambassador to the U.S. José Ramón Cabañas Rodríguez.