Why It Matters

The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba Inc. has completely overhauled its lobbying strategy, replacing Cormac Group LLP with Corcoran Partners to navigate an increasingly polarized policy environment.

The Foundation will focus on Foreign Relations and Budget/Appropriations—critical for influencing key legislation like the DEMOCRACIA Act, which imposes sanctions on human rights abusers and mandates internet access to Cubans. The move to a more politically connected firm signals the organization believes more aggressive representation is necessary amid congressional gridlock and over 1,000 political prisoners detained in Cuba.

By the Numbers

The Foundation is now represented by Esteban L. Bovo Jr. and Carlos Ernesto San Jose—lobbyists with deep Florida connections and Latin American trade expertise. Both hail from a state with three influential Cuba hawks in Congress: Senator Rick Scott, Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, and Rep. Carlos Giménez.

Experience: Both Bovo and San Jose have represented Latin American and Caribbean clients, including La Societe du Rhum Barbancourt SA of Haiti and IMPSA International Inc.. Bovo also advocated on the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act.

Firm Scale: Corcoran Partners represents 57 total clients with approximately $2.2 million in total lobbying expenditures. The firm maintains extensive Florida connections, including clients like Tampa Bay Water and Florida International University Foundation Inc..

The Agenda

The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba Inc. is lobbying on human rights issues within foreign relations and budget/appropriations policy areas, focusing on promoting democratic transition in Cuba.

Key legislation includes:

  • S.488 – DEMOCRACIA Act: Would impose sanctions on those supporting human rights abuses and mandate unrestricted internet access to Cubans.
  • H.R.450 – FORCE Act: Would block removal of Cuba from the state sponsors of terrorism list without democratic reforms.
  • S.Res.472/H.Res.843: Support for pro-democracy protests and an International Day of Political Prisoners.
  • S.218/H.R.4558: Would name the street in front of Cuba’s embassy "Oswaldo Payá Way" honoring a murdered dissident.

The shift to Corcoran Partners suggests strategy focused on appropriations targeting democracy promotion funding and foreign relations engagement with Florida-based congressional allies.

Broader Context

The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba Inc. is intensifying its Washington presence as Cuba faces mounting humanitarian pressures and U.S. policy shifts dramatically.

Over 1,000 people remain imprisoned as political prisoners following the July 2021 pro-democracy protests. The economic crisis has worsened, with nationwide blackouts affecting millions and food shortages forcing Cuba to seek UN humanitarian assistance for the first time.

Congressional divisions on Cuba policy have deepened. Republicans push aggressive sanctions through the DEMOCRACIA Act and FORCE Act, while some Democrats advocate engagement. Policy uncertainty creates both threats and opportunities—President Biden removed Cuba from the terrorism list in January 2025, only for the Trump administration to reverse the decision within six days.

Between The Lines

Congressional activity on Cuba policy has intensified, creating strategic complexity for the Foundation’s advocacy efforts.

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) leads hardline advocates, championing the DEMOCRACIA Act and recently meeting with exile activist José Daniel Ferrer. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart and Carlos Giménez similarly advocate for stronger pressure on the regime.

Conversely, Democrats support Biden’s more moderate approach. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar characterized the terrorism designation as "politically motivated" and argued engagement serves human rights better than isolation.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee’s May 8 hearing examined State Department democracy-promotion budgets—directly relevant to the Foundation’s appropriations-focused lobbying. This polarization creates strategic complexity—hardline legislation offers immediate advocacy targets, but Democrats’ engagement philosophy may prove more durable across administrations.

Competitive Landscape

The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba Inc. operates in a sparse but competitive Cuba policy lobbying ecosystem.

Bacardi USA Inc. represents the largest corporate player, spending $120,000-$130,000 quarterly on embargo issues and trademark protection. The rum manufacturer advocates for the No Stolen Trademarks Honored in America Act (H.R. 1505/S. 746), protecting intellectual property confiscated by the Cuban regime.

Both Bacardi and the Foundation can support sanctions frameworks like the DEMOCRACIA Act, but the Foundation’s focus on democracy promotion differs from corporate trademark interests. The absence of sustained organizational opposition suggests limited direct competitive pressure.

The Bottom Line

The Foundation’s strategic pivot to Corcoran Partners reflects recognition that volatile Cuba policy requires more aggressive representation. With Congress deeply divided and policy whipsawing between administrations, the Foundation’s new Florida-connected lobbyists are positioned to navigate relationships with influential members like Senator Rick Scott while advocating for democracy promotion funding and human rights legislation.

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