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Odebrecht USA, the U.S. unit of the same-named Brazilian businessgroup, said Tuesday that it filed a lawsuit against a Florida statedepartment concerning the law prohibiting Florida public agenciesfrom contracting with firms that maintain commercial links withCuba. The lawsuit filed on Monday in a Miami court alleges that the lawcannot be complied with and is "unconstitutional" because it setsforeign policy, a function that the courts have ruled belongsexclusively to the federal government. "Odebrecht USA filed suit in United States Federal District Courtagainst the Florida Department of Transportation, simply to defendour right to serve the State of Florida and its local governments,"said the firm in a communique sent to Efe on Tuesday. The U.S. unit of the Brazilian multinational said that "OdebrechtUSA does not engage, and never has engaged, in business operationsin Cuba." However, it went on to say that the parent company,Odebrecht S.A. has "worldwide operations in more than 20 countries,including Cuba." "We strongly believe that this new Florida law violates the UnitedStates Constitution," the firm's U.S. office said. The law was signed on May 1 by Florida Gov. Rick Scott at aceremony attended by lawmakers of Cuban origin and representativesof Cuban exile organizations, as well as by the legislators whosponsored the bill: Rene Garcia and Michael Bileca. The text, which was approved by the Florida legislative branchalmost unanimously, received - however - much criticism fromCanadian and Brazilian authorities, as well as from the state'sbusiness organizations. Nevertheless, the controversial law requires Washington's approvalbefore it can enter into force, something that Scott did not say atthe signing ceremony but clarified in a communique released later. The law, which would enter into force on July 1, prohibits thestate's public agencies and departments from awarding contractsvalued at $1 million or more to firms doing business with Cuba,something that could affect the Brazilian multinational, a giant inareas like engineering, construction, petrochemicals and energywith operations and business dealings all over the world. Odebrecht USA is carrying out important infrastructure projects inFlorida and says in its lawsuit that is is complying with the U.S.embargo against Cuba and does not have any contact with the companythat works for the Brazilian group in the Cuban port of Mariel. The firm said it regretted having to file a lawsuit against apublic agency - "particularly one with which we have worked sosuccessfully in the past" - and it reiterated its commitment to"complying with all local, state and federal" laws. But, it went on to say, this law "targets U.S. companies (such asOdebrecht USA) that have foreign affiliates operating in Cuba." "For more than 21 years, Odebrecht USA, which has its headquartersin Coral Gables (a municipality in Greater Miami), has beencreating jobs in Florida and helping improve the state'sinfrastructure and public facilities," the firm said. It went on to express regret over the approval of a law "whoseintent it to restrict the right of all Florida state and localgovernmental agencies to contract with U.S. companies that engagein ... or have affiliates engaged in business operations" on thecommunist island. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Launch X431 Master , China Ecu Chip Tuning, and more. For more , please visit Airbag Reset Tools today!
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