Miami may soon build a terminal for ferry rides to Cuba.

In 2015, as part of the Obama administration's move towards normalizing relations between the Unites States and Cuba, licenses were given to several companies to run ferries to the communist nation.

As NPR reports, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez sees a lot of local interest in facilitating this mode of transport. "For me, it seems to be a very logical opportunity," said Gimenez.

The Cuban-American community in Florida has been reluctant to do business with a country they feel has oppressed its people. Gimenez sees the economic opportunity of the ferry rides as not being tied to politics but rather to commerce. "We don't do business with countries. We do business with carriers," he said, adding, "Where the carriers go is where the carriers go."

Xavier Suarez, Miami-Dade County Commissioner, agrees with the mayor that building a ferry terminal in Miami is a smart idea. "We don't want to get left behind if ferry service is in fact started," said Suarez.

Aside from Miami, Tampa and Key West have each expressed interest in ferries to Cuba.

According to Robert Muse, an attorney who represents Baja Ferries USA, the political outlook among elected officials in Miami has changed much since Obama took office in 2009. “I don't think that any local politician wants to get in the way of enhanced opportunities for family travel to and from Cuba," explained Muse.

During Tuesday night's State of the Union address, President Obama reiterated his desire to see the Cuban embargo lifted. As CBS News reports, Obama said that 50 years of isolating Cuba had failed to promote democracy and set the U.S back in Latin America. “Recognize that the Cold War is over,” said Obama, “Lift the embargo.”

Related