This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-18335841#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Construction company challenges Florida anti-Cuba law Construction company challenges Florida anti-Cuba law
(about 14 hours later)
The US subsidiary of Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht has filed a lawsuit against the state of Florida over anti-Cuban legislation. The US subsidiary of Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht has filed a lawsuit in Florida over anti-Cuban legislation.
The Florida law bans local authorities from hiring companies that do business in Cuba or Syria.The Florida law bans local authorities from hiring companies that do business in Cuba or Syria.
Republican Governor Rick Scott says taxpayers' money should not be used to support dictatorships.Republican Governor Rick Scott says taxpayers' money should not be used to support dictatorships.
Odebrecht USA argues the law is unconstitutional as it sets foreign policy.Odebrecht USA argues the law is unconstitutional as it sets foreign policy.
The lawsuit says it is up to the federal government to approve laws dealing with foreign affairs. Its lawsuit says it is up to the federal government to approve laws dealing with foreign affairs.
The legislation was signed last month and is due to come into effect on 1 July. The Florida legislation was signed last month and is due to come into effect on 1 July.
It has wide support among Republican politicians in Florida, particularly those representing the large Cuban-American population in Miami.It has wide support among Republican politicians in Florida, particularly those representing the large Cuban-American population in Miami.
Odebrecht is a large company with operations in more than 20 countries, including Cuba, where it is working on a major development of the Port of Mariel, near Havana.Odebrecht is a large company with operations in more than 20 countries, including Cuba, where it is working on a major development of the Port of Mariel, near Havana.
But its US subsidiary, basd in Florida, says it has never engaged in any business on the Communist island. But its US subsidiary, based in Florida, says it has never engaged in any business in Cuba.
"We filed suit against the Florida Department of Transportation simply to defend our right to serve the State of Florida and its local governments," says a company statement. "We filed suit against the Florida Department of Transportation simply to defend our right to serve the State of Florida and its local governments," a company statement said.
Odebrecht is specifically suing Ananth Prasad, Florida's Secretary of Transportation.