US-Cuba normalize relations after half a century of estrangement

The US President and the Cuban President announced the normalization of relations between the two countries after half a century of estrangement due to the US embargo and isolation measures.

The US CNN channel commented that the change in relations between Washington and Havana marks an important turning point between the two countries after half a century of diplomatic relations being broken. The embargo and isolation measures imposed by the US on Cuba will be lifted.

US President Obama announced a change in policy towards Cuba after half a century of embargo.

In his statement, US President Obama said: "I do not believe that we can continue to do the same things as we have for more than half a century."

However, Mr. Obama also added that he 'does not expect' that normalizing relations and reopening embassies between the two countries can 'change Cuba overnight'.

Mr. Obama's speech was reported by the US media at 12:00 on December 17 (local time), while Cuban President Raul Castro also gave a speech about normalizing relations between the two countries at the same time as Mr. Obama's speech.

US media reported that Mr. Raul Castro praised Washington's decision as a historic change. Mr. Castro also thanked the Vatican for mediating the talks between the two countries.

Commenting on the recent US embargo on Cuba, Mr. Obama said the US will change its 'outdated approach' to Cuba by easing the embargo in the near future.

Reuters news agency commented that the change in the White House's policy towards Cuba will open the door for economic and tourism between the two countries. Currently, tourists from the US to Cuba face many obstacles in legal procedures.

Signs of normalization between the two countries began with the release of American spy Alan Gross after five years in prison in Cuba. Another spy working for the US was also released by Cuba after 20 years of imprisonment, but his identity has not been revealed, according to Reuters. In return, the US also released three Cuban spies arrested in the US, US officials said.

Relations between the US and Cuba have been frozen since the 1959 Cuban revolution, when current Cuban President Raul Castro's brother, Fidel Castro, came to power.

The US has maintained sanctions and embargo on Cuba ever since. In a speech described as historic, Mr. Obama reiterated that the US wants to see democratic reform in Cuba.

US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro shake hands in 2013, when attending the funeral of South African President Nelson Mandela

A US official told Reuters that many in the White House believe the embargo imposed on Cuba for more than 50 years is no longer effective. "If any US foreign policy is outdated, it is the Cuba embargo," the official said.

However, President Obama's statement has been criticized by some Cuban Americans. Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida - where there is a large Cuban American population - said Mr. Obama's decision was 'inexplicable'.

Mr. Rubio announced that he would use his power and influence in the Foreign Relations Committee in the US Senate to prevent the decision which he said 'benefited the Castro government'.

The US president was also criticized for his decision to release three Cuban intelligence officers in exchange for the freedom of American spies captured in Cuba.

Before delivering his speech on changing policy towards Cuba, US President Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro had an hour-long phone call. This was the first state phone call between the two leaders since 1959.

According toVTC News