U.S. and Cuba formally announce reopening of embassies

“We will formally announce tomorrow that the United States and Cuba have reached an agreement to re-establish formal diplomatic relations and open embassies in each other’s capitals”, the source said.

The arrests of dissidents and continuing abuses by the regime suggest that the policies of the administration are failing, he added.

USA President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro exchanged letters agreeing to reopen embassies in each other’s capitals, with the Cubans saying that could happen as soon as July 20.

“The progress we make today is another demonstration we don’t have to be imprisoned by the past”, Obama said in brief remarks on Wednesday.

“The real test of the Obama administration’s rapprochement with the Castro regime in Cuba is not whether President Obama’s legacy is burnished with dubious diplomatic achievements and photo-ops, but whether improved relations between Havana and Washington advance the cause of human rights and freedom for the Cuban people”.

The head of the USA interests section in Havana, Jeffrey DeLaurentis – tipped by some to become the ambassador – handed to Cuban diplomats a similar letter from Obama to Castro.

A long battle of subterfuge and outright aggression followed as Cuba closely aligned with the Soviet Union, almost leading to nuclear war in 1962 over Soviet missiles stationed on the island. Obama has been criticized for foreign policy stumbles, especially in the Middle East. “We’ve already seen members from both parties begin that work”. “It hasn’t worked for 50 years”, Obama said at a press conference in the Rose Garden on Wednesday morning.

Leading the talks for Cuba is Vidal, who, along with Jacobson, was part of the negotiations to free American contractor Alan Gross from a Cuban prison in December.

Garcia is pleased to hear that it could be easier for Cuban-Americans to visit their families in Cuba. He says lawmakers should listen to the Cuban people and the American people who oppose maintaining economic sanctions against the island nation.

Obama is also calling on Congress to lift the US embargo on Cuba.

Rubio, a senator from Florida, accused Obama of giving concessions as Cuba continued to stifle democracy.

Garcia, who is referring to Fidel and Raul Castro, says he finds it hard to believe their views on power will ever change.

In 2013, only two children in Cuba were born with HIV and five with syphilis, a World Health Organization statement said.

Earlier in May, the U.S. removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terror, but trade and travel embargo remain a hurdle to be overcome with Cuba alleging violation of global laws.

After the embassies open, the White House hopes Congress will get rid of some of the travel and business restrictions on the country.