Is this the man to bring the free market to Cuba?

Hugo Cancio is already a known name in Cuban-Miami circles, promoting Cuban and other Latino acts and publishing magazines in Havana — and now, he’s a key player for companies who want to take advantage of the thaw in Cuban-American relations. Cuba does not typically comment on business ventures in its country, but officials privately acknowledged that Cancio enjoys a high level of trust, despite a rocky relationship. After fleeing with his family to Miami in 1980 as part of a 120,000-strong exodus, he worked in a car dealership while in high school, then launched a travel business when Cuba opened up to exiled families in the 1990s.

He stuck his neck out in Miami and that’s why Cubans respect him.

Ralph Patino, a Cuban-American lawyer and Obama fund-raiser on Hugo Cancio

Cancio has launched two glossy lifestyle publications in Havana called OnCuba and ArtCuba and a website. A third publication, focusing on the emerging real estate market, is due out in April. launched two glossy lifestyle publications in Havana called OnCuba and ArtCuba and a website. A third publication, focusing on the emerging real estate market, is due out in April.

It’s hard to know what opportunities are available or what Cuba wants. But Hugo is on the ground and he knows who’s who.

Luis Arias, CEO of Blackstone, a Miami prepaid phone card firm that looks to do business with Cancio’s MAScell phone card firm

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