Earlier in the day, Obama visited the adjacent Palace of the Revolution, where the Castros have led Cuba’s resistance to USA pressure going back decades. “It is wonderful to be here”, he said. Instead of featuring the USA president’s visit as the main story, the Sunday paper focused on a meeting between Castro and longtime Communist ally, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which took place on Saturday. While deep differences persist, the economic and political relationship has changed rapidly in the 15 months since the leaders vowed a new beginning. There will also be a State dinner at the Palace of the Revolution on Monday, where the Obamas will be “participating”.
Advertisement
“The blockade stands as the most important obstacle to our economic development and the well-being of the Cuban people”.
For the first time in 88 years, a U-S President is visiting Cuba. U.S. President Barack Oba… After the small speech, the Obamas toured Old Havana despite the rain. They walked gingerly on the slippery wet stones in the square in front of the cathedral. Castro’s government, for its part, has bristled at the suggestion it must undergo further changes even while the U.S. Congress refuses to lift the detested trade embargo.
As President Obama makes his historic visit to Cuba, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Democrat from Tampa, has been part of a delegation of dignitaries traveling with the President. Domestic politics in both countries contributed to the continued estrangement well after the Cold War ended.
The Obama daughters may be on spring break but their trip to Cuba means they’re getting some extra Spanish lessons in. “Let God will that this is good for all Cubans”.
Obama leaves for a two-day trip to Argentina after the game.
“Obama tweeted “¿Que bolá Cuba?”
Castro responds: “I was asking if his question was directed to me or to President Obama”.
For decades, the U.S. and Cuba were engaged in a bitter stand-off, triggered by the overthrow of US-backed Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista by Communist leader Fidel Castro in 1959.
Cuban police backed by hundreds of shouting pro-government demonstrators broke up a Ladies in White march on Sunday, detaining dozens of people just hours before Obama landed.
“He certainly, I don’t think, will be doing it again in a hurry”, he says.
“We are living in historic times, the United States and Cuba”, Rios added.
Obama and Castro exchanged words briefly, although their remarks were not picked up by the television cameras nearby.
Advertisement
The US and Cuban presidents took questions from reporters, a rare opening to the press by the Cuban leader, although he became vexed when the media exceeded the one question he had promised to answer. Hundreds of thousands of Cubans can now pursue free enterprise, and restrictions on cellphones and Internet have been eased.
