NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn has been an outspoken opponent of the Obama administration's plans to re-open relations with Cuba.
But NewsChannel 5 Investigates discovered that not everyone in the Williamson County Republican's family appears to think it's such a big deal.
Through a source, we obtained Facebook photos of Blackburn's son, Chad, during a trip earlier this year to Cuba with some friends.
One photo showed Chad Blackburn with his friends at Havana's Hotel Nacional de Cuba. According to the its website, the hotel "stands out due to its refined elegance and its ancient splendor."
In another picture, Chad Blackburn appears to be smoking a Cuban cigar.
But, in a statement, Congressman Blackburn told NewsChannel 5 Investigates that she doesn't approve.
“The Castro Regime has not met the human rights and free election requirements established by Congress for the United States to re-open diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba," Blackburn said.
"I oppose all trade, travel, and diplomatic relations with Cuba. As an adult, my son chose to travel to Cuba and I even opposed that. Under no circumstances do I condone a diplomatic relationship with an authoritarian regime that oppresses their own people.”
According to the source who provided the photos, they were posted in June, but it's not exactly clear when the trip occurred.
Tourist travel to Cuba is still illegal, although travel is allowed for cultural and other related purposes.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates called Chad Blackburn to ask how he made his travel arrangements.
But the congressman's son hung up on the reporter.
