TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Tampa State Sen. Jay Collins filed a resolution on Monday, rebuking several local leaders who dined alongside Cuban diplomats during a recent visit to Tampa.

What You Need To Know

  • Collins described the meeting as a “slap in the face” to the millions of Cuban exiles

  • The meeting took place at an upscale restuarant in Tampa with local officials in early March

  • Resolutions are symbolical in nature and carry no legislative impacts

The resolution condemns the local gathering as “unconscionable” and “inexcusable.” 

It further affirms Florida’s solidarity with the Cuban community, both stateside and abroad, and reiterates the federal government’s classification of Cuba as a “state sponsor of terrorism.”

“It is inexcusable that these officials would break bread with members of an oppressive and tyrannical government…” says the resolution. 

The resolution names several local leaders including Tampa councilman Guido Maniscalco, Hillsborough County school board member Karen Perez and Hillsborough County Clerk of Court Cindy Stuart.

They, among others, joined the Cuban delegates at an upscale restaurant, Mise en Place, in Tampa on March 3. 

Protesters later disrupted the dinner meeting, according to the resolution, and confronted the delegation about human rights violations in Cuba.

Speaking Monday to reporters, Collins described the meeting as a “slap in the face” to the millions of Cuban exiles in Florida.

“We here in the Free State of Florida have nothing to gain from meeting with the leadership from that totalitarian regime,” Collins said Monday at the Capitol. End of story.”

The resolution is slated for one committee stop before a final vote in the Senate. Resolutions are symbolical in nature and carry no legislative impacts.