New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Concludes Trip to Cuba, Addresses Human Rights Issues

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday became the first U.S. governor to visit Cuba since President Obama announced policy changes last December. By Tuesday morning, two New York companies had partnered with the communist country.

Cuomo led about half a dozen New York-based businesses - such as JetBlue, MasterCard, and Pfizer - in a 26-hour whirlwind trip aimed at exploring ways the U.S. and Cuba could strengthen trade ties. The Democratic governor met with Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuba's executive vice president, at an airport terminal shortly before jetting back to Albany, New York.

A taboo subject when Obama and Castro agreed to easing trade restrictions, Cuomo indirectly referred to the island's human rights issues throughout his two-day visit.

It wasn't until he spoke with Diaz-Canel that Cuomo specifically used the words "human rights."

"I'm sure Cuba will have areas where they agree with U.S. policy, where they disagree with U.S. policy," Cuomo said in speaking with Spanish journalists. "Human rights are an issue that is very important to the people of the United States, and New York in particular, and those issues have to be worked through. And what we have heard is the best way to do that is through engagement as opposed to a policy of isolation."

Diaz-Canel did not have a specific response other than to say there were issued that need to be addressed "and engagement is the way to do it."

On Monday, Cuomo Old Havana's downtrodden streets and witnessed first-hand the impact of Castro's regime.

"I have never seen a Chevy with a Toyota engine in it," Cuomo said after looking under the hood of a restored pink 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air. "I had to come to Cuba to see this."

A sign likening the U.S.-Cuba trade embargo to genocide was imprinted onto a passing bus. Signs reading "Socialism or Death" lined the cobblestone streets. A horde of reporters following Cuomo were met with shouts of "U.S.A Go Home."

Like the challenge of winning over Cuban nationals, Cuomo admitted that obstacles remain in doing business with Cuba.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Manhattan-based Infor inked deals on the trip; each thanked Cuomo for his efforts.

The cancer institute signed a deal to develop a lung cancer vaccine with Havana's Center for Molecular Immunology. Infor, a software company that employs over 12,500, will be re-selling software in conjecture with a Cuban firm with connections through Latin America.

"We've reached agreement at dinner last night over rice and beans," said Infor CEO Charles Phillips in speaking with New York Capital. "It would have taken us years to find the right people here without this trip."

Any U.S-Cuba business partnerships are subject to approval from Cuban officials. MasterCard debit and credit cards work and JetBlue passengers can travel to and from Cuba but American companies still can't export goods to government-owned businesses.

Obama eased restrictions resulting from the embargo. Only Congress can lift them permanently. Republicans control Congress and are staunchly opposed to softening U.S. policy in Cuba, though it's unlikely they will repeal legislation Obama has set forth.