Boehner: Opening US Embassy in Havana Fails to Implement Democracy in Cuba

Watched over by US Secretary of State John Kerry, US Marines raised the American flag at the embassy in Cuba for the first time in 54 years on Friday, symbolically ushering in an era of renewed diplomatic relations between the two Cold War-era foes.

The historically charged photo-op put a coda on the historic rapprochement announced on December 17 by US President Barack Obama and Cuban counterpart Raul Castro, which paved the way for the two countries to reopen their embassies on July 20.

“We are gathered here because our leaders made a courageous decision to stop being prisoners of history”, Secretary of State John Kerry said during the ceremony.

However, Josefina Vidal, Cuba’s Lead Negotiator with the US, says the lift of the embargo, if and when it happens, will only be the first step of the long process of restoring economic relations.

“I’m amazed by the spirit of these people after so many years”, said Shelton, who visited Cuba in March as part of a delegation from Louisiana. Invitees from both countries and a U.S. delegation made up of some 20 officials and lawmakers attended the initial event, which did not include any Cuban dissidents.

At the ceremony, Kerry called for democracy in Cuba, which is still run by dictator Fidel Castro and his family.

“We strongly believe that, despite the differences that exist between the governments of Cuba and the United States, which will not disappear, it is possible to build civilized and respectful and productive relations – different in nature from those which have existed in the past”.

That would be news to the U.S. travelers and businesses eager to engage Cuba on the same terms as the rest of the world.

Speaking later with reporters, Kerry said the U.S. Congress was unlikely to lift a punishing economic embargo on Cuba unless human rights improved.

Kerry will meet Cuban dissidents at the U.S. embassy residence in Havana later on Friday.

Kerry said the diplomatic opening will be good for both the people of Cuba and the U.S. The ceremonial raising of the flag was done by the same U.S. marines who retrieved it in 1961.

In an open letter yesterday, Castro said the United States owed Cuba millions of dollars because of its 53-year-long embargo.

Kerry said in a series of interviews with Spanish-language press Wednesday that the day would move the U.S.-Cuban relationship into a series of detailed talks about topics including “law enforcement, maritime security, education, health, telecommunications”. He has also been criticised for failing to invite Cuban dissidents to the flag-raising ceremony.

Formal diplomatic relations were restored last month and the Cuban government rededicated its embassy in Washington on the same day.