(VOVworld) – A US bipartisan coalition called “Engage Cuba” whose role focuses on lobbying Congress to lift trade and travel restrictions with Cuba has held an inauguration ceremony and opened its Facebook account, according to Cuba's official website Cubadebate.

James Williams, president of Engage Cuba, and Luke Albee, senior advisor of the coalition (Photo:miamiherald)

The event was attended by Republican Senator Jeff Flake, Roberta S. Jacobson, the assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs and US chief negotiator in the Cuba talks, and José Ramón Cabañas Rodriguez, Chief of Mission of the Cuban Interests Section in Washington.

“Engage Cuba” has operated since May and focused on lobbying Congress to lift restrictions with Cuba which were codified in 1996. Efforts are exerted to allow US citizens to travel to Cuba.