Jorge Fernandez works to restore U.S.-Cuba relationship

Longboat Key resident Jorge Fernandez is helping to facilitate a thaw in relations between the U.S. and Cuba after decades of dispute.

On May 12, Fernandez hosted Cuban Ambassador José Ramón Cabañas Rodríguez in Sarasota, where he took the ambassador on VIP tours of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium and Port Manatee. Ambassador Rodríguez gave a speech titled “Winds of Change in Havana and Washington,” which was co-sponsored by the Cuba Standard and the Sarasota World Affairs Council.

“People are so welcoming with open arms in Longboat, Sarasota and Bradenton,” Fernandez, who splits his time between Longboat Key and Bucks County, Pa., said. 

Born in Havana, Fernandez moved to the U.S. when he was 8 in the mid-1960s in the middle of the Cuban Revolution. 

“That revolution was a very dramatic event in our lives,” Fernandez said. “When I left, things were ugly.”

Fernandez spent his career in the corporate world and worked for Estée Lauder in New York City. He didn’t think about returning to Cuba until 1998, when he was offered the chance to go with Pope John Paul II. (Fernandez has worked with Cardinal Jaime Ortega of the Archdiocese of Havana and the Vatican since 1997.)

“I always wanted to go back, but I was very, very hesitant,” Fernandez said. “But when I went, I saw how welcoming and warm and kind all the Cuban people were and realized the embargo was hurting all the innocent people. That’s when I really became passionate that we restore relationships with Cuba.”

That same year, Fernandez founded Americans for Humanitarian Trade with Cuba, which focuses on restoring the trade and sales of U.S. medical and food supplies with Cuba.

“We tried to make a major impact right away,” Fernandez said. “We testified to Congress, and President Clinton heard our voice. That’s when we were able to send food and medical products to Cuba.”

Since 1998, Fernandez has returned to Cuba 17 times and has brought more than 800 Americans with him, including President Jimmy Carter.

“Every single person who I take falls in love with the Cuban people and with Cuba,” Fernandez said. “They come back asking why we have this embargo and why we can’t have a relationship with Cuba.”

During one visit, Fernandez met President Fidel Castro.

“Meeting Fidel Castro was another very memorable moment,” Fernandez said. “He was very courteous, and he was very kind and knew all about me and thanked me for bring the Philadelphia Boys Choir three times. It was kind of surreal.”

In addition to traveling with Pope John Paul II, Fernandez went to Cuba with Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. In 2013, he stayed as the guest of Pope Francis for a week at the Vatican and spoke about Cuba.

Fernandez will return with another group of Americans this September through Havana Ferry Partners, which aims to become the principal ferry transportation between Florida and Cuba. Fernandez serves as the CEO, managing partner and major shareholder.

“We visit schools, children, daycare centers and nursing homes,” Fernandez said. “They’re very special moments. On the ferry, whatever cargo space we have open, we’ll fill it with humanitarian goods to Cuba. It’s what drives me.”

What Fernandez is most proud of, however, is the recent changes in the relationship between then U.S. and Cuba. 

“I’m excited, and I’m thrilled,” Fernandez said. “I applaud President Obama for what he did on Dec. 17 when he announced that the U.S. will be restoring diplomatic relationships with Cuba. It’s fantastic.”

Although more progress must be made to re-establish the two countries’ relationship, Fernandez is optimistic it will happen.

“The changes are coming,” Fernandez said. “If we continue opening doors, relationships will be restored. Every time a roadblock like this gets removed, the people of Cuba get so happy because it’s another step toward normalization across the board. Cuba must open up to the world, and the world must open up to Cuba.”

“Cuba must open up to the world, and the world must open up to Cuba.”

 

– Jorge Fernandez