Arturo Lopez-Callejas (“Artie Levy” to you!) Director of Media Relations U.S. District, GAESA Enterprises.
The Lopez-Callejas cousins
As well known hereabouts, and as thoroughly documented by Chris Simmons, the Castro clan's GAESA conglomorate pretty much controls every major business in Cuba, including all facets of the tourist industry.
Raul's son-in-law Luis Alberto Rodriguez Lopez-Callejas, heads GAESA (at least for the time being.) His cousin Arturo Lopez-Callejas (known as Lopez-Levy by the U.S. media) who--though a "former" Castro Intelligence official--was whisked through the U.S. visa process, has magically morphed into one of the media's favorite "experts" and "analysts" on all things Cuban, especially the "embargo" and U.S. travel to Cuba. "Embargo bad...Cuba-travel good" pretty much sums up Lopez Callejas "expertise."
I defy you to find any mention in the "investigative and watchdog" media--normally so hypersensitive to corporate and business malfeasance--that, in effect, Raul Castro's son-in-law (who runs Cuba's tourist industry) has his cousin in the U.S. lobbying throughout the media--under the guise of a "scholar"--for more tourism to Cuba.
Artie Levy "Dedicated to making your Cuban vacation delightful!"
My business card:
Arturo Lopez-Callejas ("Artie Levy" to you!) Director of Media Relations U.S. District, GAESA Enterprises. "Dedicated to making your Cuban vacation delightful! We go the extra mile!" See our ads in the New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, AP, Reuters--anywhere in the media anytime Cuba travel is mentioned.
(The cousins and business partners even look alike)
But of course, Artie's totally unbiased and uncompromised. Totally.
Me smells another Cuban spy...
If people buy blatantly dubious goods, they are going to be sold. Bet on it. Castro apologists are no doubt contemptible, but those who humor and enable them are no better and may be worse. Artie's not the problem; the problem is those who buy what he's selling.
asombra, The Miami-Herald is one of those...
[...] that the Tampa Bay Tribune did not seek the "expertise" of the Castro family's GAESA Enterprises Director of U.S. Media Relations on the [...]
[...] The above "expertise" from Arturo ("Artie Levy to you!") Lopez Callejas (Raul Castro's nephew-in-law) hailing U.S.-Cuba educational tours, as stipulated by his role as the Castro family's Director of U.S. Media Relations. [...]
[...] Colonel's cousin, Arturo Lopez-Callejas, as well known hereabouts, has been tasked with keeping that hotel packed with tourists, "people to people" and [...]