Raul Castro's retirement may not increase business between Florida and Cuba

President Raúl Castro's retirement this week — marking the first time in nearly 60 years Cuba will be ruled without a Castro — was expected to pave the way for increased business between the U.S. and Cuba. But recent policy changes have made that process thornier than ever. “The climate has certainly changed,” said Jay Brickman, vice president of Jacksonville-based Crowley Maritime Corp. “The optimism that was there has been dampened. People are investing less time to see how they could enter the Cuban market until they see where the relations are going.” More from USA Today and the AP.

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» Raúl Castro expected to leave office earlier than originally planned

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