Obama, Raul Castro speak ahead of pope’s visit to U.S. , Cuba

The Pope is widely credited with initiating the dialogue that led to the new direction in U.S.-Cuba relationship.

Inching its way to 14th place as one of the most visited Caribbean destinations gives Cuba the advantage it needs, as per Sojern study results.

Friday’s regulations build on others President Barack Obama announced in January to ease the 53-year-old embargo against Cuba.

From 2014 to 2015, said Rodriguez, the United States continued to strengthen the economic and trade barrier against Cuba “with marked and growing extraterritorial character”, especially in the area of finance, by targeting Cuba’s transactions. And Republicans who control Congress are considered unlikely to do so despite Obama’s appeals. The USA also has concerns about Cuba’s human rights record and detainment of political prisoners.

The rare phone call comes ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to the USA and Cuba. The Vatican has long condemned the embargo against Cuba. Over time that creates space for personal freedom and a long-term political transition, he said.

The USA government announced Friday it is easing restrictions on Americans conducting business related to travel, telecommunications and Internet-based services in Cuba.

Forbes.com also featured Cuban real estate to have significant changes in terms of establishing its ground as a prime property investment in the near future. President Raul Castro’s government has welcomed Obama’s efforts to normalize relations while calling for a full, unilateral lifting of the embargo.

After delivering a speech at the Business Roundtable Headquarters in Washington where he responded to several questions from the audience, Obama also said that the imminent visit of Pope Francis to Cuba will be “an opportunity” to broaden the “conversations” that are already occurring on the communist island.

“This latest set of regulatory changes represents another momentous step by the Obama administration to support the Cuban people through greater engagement with the American private sector”, #CubaNow Executive Director Ric Herrero said in a statement. The two neighboring countries restored diplomatic ties and reopened embassies earlier this summer.