Visitors to Havana can find US-Cuban connections everywhere

The US was represented by Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson, who led US negotiators in six months of talks leading to the July 1 announcement, and Jeffrey DeLaurentis, the chief of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana who will now become charge d’affaires.

The historic diplomatic shift comes 54 years after a diplomatic break that happened during U.S. President John Kennedy’s administration.

Despite pledges of goodwill and mutual respect, ghosts of past animosity hung over the events. Bolivian representative to the Organization of American States Diego Rodriguez praised the opening of the Cuban embassy in Washington as a “historic act”, and the Caribbean’s most influential newspaper, The Jamaica Observer said the event redefined the relationship between Cuba and the United States.

With regard to the economic embargo, Kerry recalled that only Congress may lift it and said he was confident that as the bilateral relationship develops “in these next weeks and months and years – and hopefully not too many years” – those who oppose lifting the embargo will cease to do so.

Rodriguez noted that there are “profound differences” between the USA and Cuban governments but stressed that “we strongly believe that we can both co-operate and coexist in a civilized way based on due respect for these differences”.

“Make no mistake, the process of fully normalizing relations between the United States and Cuba will go on”, Kerry said.

John Kerry says the end of the 53-year-old trade embargo is now under discussion by the US government.

“It’s good to warm the relations between both countries but a lot of things have to change over there about freedom”, Perez said. Key aspects of the US embargo on Cuba remains in place, and American businesses seeking to do business on the island face a wide variety of bureaucratic and legal obstacles.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration urged Havana to improve its human rights record.

In the morning, Rodriguez attended a ceremony at the Cuban embassy, where a crowd of more than 500 people cheered and shouted “Fidel, Fidel” and “Viva Raul” as the distinctive flag with a white star on a red triangle and blue and white stripes was raised by an honor guard.

CNN also took video inside the Cuban Embassy on 16th Street, showcasing the property’s elaborate architecture, ornate stain glass ceiling, marble staircases and more.

The re-establishment of embassies could usher in a new era of engagement between the United States and Cuba by easing government contacts heavily constrained since the United States broke off diplomatic relations in 1961. The US stands to gain, and so does the average Cuban.

Code Pink member Tighe Berry said he knew the USA would soon work to restore ties with Cuba.

This afternoon, GOP Senate hopeful Carlos Lopez-Cantera issued a press release condemning today’s diplomatic recognition of Cuba.

“Only four U.S. officials will get unrestricted movement in Cuba”. Since then, the USA has lifted a series of restrictions on Cuba, including removing Cuba from its list of states sponsoring terrorism in late May.

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