HAVANA, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, in Cuba on a trade mission for his state, Tuesday urged the easing of U.S. travel and trade restrictions there.
The Democratic governor said President Obama should lift the restrictions invoked by Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, following a period of more lenient rules under Bush's predecessor, Bill Clinton, "sooner rather than later."
"I know they're considering it. Those are good steps," Richardson said in an interview with MSNBC. "These are confidence-building steps that I think make sense; that it's in the interest of the United States.
"I've long advocated that we take the travel ban off of Americans. I don't think the embargo is working either."
Richardson emphasized he is in the Communist island nation pushing the sale of New Mexican produce and other items, but acknowledged the other issues were likely to come up.
Richardson says he senses a warming of U.S.-Cuban relations and said opening trade with the Caribbean nation would benefit the United States.
"We need to get involved here," he said. "There's enormous potential for investment, but easing the travel ban is a way that Americans of all stripes, of all types can -- can visit the island."
Richardson also applauded the growing list of political dissidents being freed by Havana under President Raul Castro.
"These are very positive steps that were negotiated by President Raul Castro and the Catholic Church and the Spanish foreign minister," Richardson said. "You know, this is good because it shows movement on the human rights issue, which is very important."
Richardson said at the behest of the Obama administration he would try to press Cuban officials for the release of Alan Gross, a USAID employee behind held in Cuba.
