New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is planning a trade mission to Cuba.
The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that Cuomo will announce his intention to travel to Cuba in his state-of-the-state address scheduled for Wednesday.
Cuomo’s press office did not respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
The timing of the trip is not known but Cuomo stands to become the first governor to travel to the country since President Obama announced a re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba in December.
Obama’s decision sparked sharp criticism from Cuban-Americans and in particular those serving in Congress.
Both Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Bob Menendez, D-N.J., condemned the move, in part because the Cuban government was not required to do much of anything in exchange, such as establishing free elections.
Critics of Obama’s move say it will only benefit the Cuban dictatorship, which will confiscate increased revenue from new trade and tourism.
Cuomo has announced a series of trade missions he plans to take in the next few years. Stops include Italy, China, Mexico and Canada. Cuomo visited Israel in August.
