Top US diplomat flies to Cuba for new policy victory lap

The act itself was routine, but the implications were enormous.

With the embassy already open, the flag-raisings are symbolic but nonetheless significant. The United States has had a diplomatic mission on the island since 1977, and Cuban diplomats have been in Washington, D.C., for decades.

Friday’s flag-raising ceremony put US diplomats in the same knot. In addition to American business executives, academics and others who have been supportive of the U.S. opening toward Cuba, some dissidents and other members of Cuban civil society also are on the guest list for the 4:15 p.m. reception.

Since July 20, when diplomatic relations were officially restored, U.S. diplomats have been racing to prepare for what they call the “S” – or secretary visit.

The US embassy will be reopened in Havana on Friday, with US Secretary of State John Kerry attending.

Castro made no mention either of Kerry’s visit to reopen the embassy, a step that comes eight months after Obama and Castro’s successor and brother Raul announced plans to restore relations. Much like the agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, the United States chose the path of least resistance. “That limit has now been reached”.

But this offer of inauguration tickets – a “symbol of solidarity between my administration and those who strive for freedom around the world”, according to excerpts of Rubio’s prepared comments – is a new piece of his foreign policy platform, and something Rubio says distinguishes him from Obama.

“Knowing that we are an embassy now is definitely something very big”, said Julio Llopiz who works at the public affairs office. In 2006, for example, an electronic ticker set up across the facade of the then-U.S. Interests Section flashed messages such as “Democracia en Cuba” or “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up” in five-foot-tall red letters. He had been at the embassy for almost two years and had grown to love Cuba.

The third Marine who participated in the flag removal, Cpl. The administration also released some of Havana’s most notorious spies from prison.

“I was impressed with the city”, he told CNN. “And they just spread off the sidewalk”.

We don’t know if Fidel is going rogue or doing the trial balloon.

It was a solemn moment, but a hectic one as well. There were classified documents to destroy, equipment to remove, personal effects to pack up – all while protecting the Embassy and its personnel.

Morris had to leave a treasured possession behind. “I really never thought I would see this in my lifetime”.

Tourists ride on a vintage American auto in front of the U.S. embassy in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, August 13, 2015. The island’s chief dissidents will be kept away from the celebration at the new U.S. embassy.

The trio aren’t expected to actually raise the flag this time around – that will be done by current Marines.

“That’s their job now”, he said.

“Writing is a way to be useful, if you keep in mind that we poor humans must be more and better educated in the face of the incredible ignorance that surrounds us all, except for researchers who use science to seek a satisfactory answer”, Castro wrote.