Rev. Jesse Jackson Visits Cuba
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Rev. Jesse Jackson is in Cuba and it's not clear how long he may stay.
Jackson arrived in Havana Friday afternoon, but did not provide extensive details as to why he is visiting the country.
He was asked by local media whether he would visit imprisoned American contractor Alan Gross. Rev. Jackson said: "I don't know. I would like to."
Gross was jailed in Cuba in December 2009 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2011.
Authorities said Gross installed internet networks for Jewish groups which the Cuban government considers subversive.
The U.S. claimed Gross was trying to help as part of a democracy-building project.
Jackson flew to Havana on a charter flight from Miami.
"We will hope for the day when the walls come down and bridges are built so families can reunite again and relate with each other on real mutually respectful, mutually beneficial ways," he told the press on arrival at Havana flagship Hotel Nacional.
Jackson surrounded by officials of the Cuban National Council of Churches said, "We're here as guests of the church and we'll listen to the agenda of the church. They're concerned about the poor and the needy. They're concerned about peaceful relations. They're concerned about state and governments having good relationships and hooking up relationships between Cuba, the U.S. and the rest of the Caribbean that will facilitate that relationship."
