There’s a lot of buzz out there about Tampa (Florida) actively seeking a Cuban consulate in its area. One source said, “It depends on Havana’s desires.” This is only half of the truth, though.

Before any country – Cuba or otherwise – may open a consulate in the United States it needs the permission from the U.S. State Department. This means that when diplomatic ties are re-established, Cuba may indeed ask for the Tampa location for a consulate but let’s say for the sake of argument, that there’s opposition to that place by officials in Tampa or Florida or Washington. Cuba cannot unilaterally proceed to open an office. Reasons for opposition may be as basic as security.

Lesson learned: the opening of any consulate, anywhere in the world, is a two-way street that requires permission of the receiving country.