US re-opens embassy in Cuba after 54 years

The American flag was raised for the first time in 54 years, symbolically ushering in an era of renewed diplomatic relations between the two Cold War-era foes.

The US and Cuba officially restored their diplomatic ties last month with reopening of the Cuban Embassy in Washington.

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The flag had not flown over the building since the United States severed ties with Cuba on January 3, 1961, at the height of the Cold War. And as he acknowledged at the ceremony this morning, neither country has “any illusions about how hard our new relationship will be”. It’s the first visit by a U.S. secretary of state since the 1940s. “And slowly, the crowd just parted in front of them as they made their way to the flagpole, lowered Old Glory, folded it and returned to the building”, Kerry said.

While the flag was raised at the embassy the United States national anthem also played for the dignitaries in attendance. The letter makes no mention of the reopening of the US embassy.

There is a lot of interest from firms in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

On the plane taking him to Havana, Mr. Kerry had also told reporters that the rapprochement with Cuba would be fraught with snags, adding that at least it’s a start.

Blanco, who was President Obama’s inaugural poet in 2013, said it was one of the most emotional poems he’s written.

Hundreds of Cubans gathered on the embassy grounds, clapping and cheering as the flag went up.

“That courageous Cubans whose only crime is to speak out for freedom and democracy will be kept away from the official ceremony opening the U.S. Embassy is yet another concession to the Castros”, the former Florida governor said.

“This truly is a memorable occasion, a day for pushing aside old barriers and exploring new possibilities and it is in that spirit that I say on behalf of my country”, Kerry said.

Kerry was then scheduled to meet with Cuba’s foreign minister, the country’s Roman Catholic archbishop and, separately, a hand-picked group of dissidents. “We are all aware that, that notwithstanding President Obama’s new policy, the overall U.S. embargo on trade with Cuba remains in place and can only be lifted by congressional action – a step we strongly favor”. Cuba dissidents were not on hand for the flag raising.

But Obama faces an uphill battle as he needs approval from Congress, where both houses are now controlled by his Republican opponents – many of them deeply hostile to Havana.