US President Barack Obama told Cubans in an unprecedented live television address Tuesday that he had come to the communist island to “bury” decades of Cold War conflict.
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After meeting with President Raul Castro today, President Obama said in an exclusive interview with ABC News’ David Muir that he believed the Cuban leader “truly” wanted change in the island nation and that Cuba would become “more prosperous” in the future.
“Having removed the shadow of history from our relationship, I must speak honestly about the things that I believe, the things that we as Americans believe”, Obama said in his speech on Tuesday, addressing the Cuban people.
“We stand in solidarity with them in condemning these outrageous attacks against innocent people”, he said.
Obama’s visit to Cuba, the first by a sitting US president since 1928, which ended Tuesday, is the culmination of diplomatic efforts since Obama and Castro agreed in December 2014 to restore diplomatic ties and end half a century of hostility between the two countries.
“I think Obama touched the soul of the Cubans”, said dockyard worker Lazaro Bosch, 62. “It’s a burden on the Americans who want to work and do business or invest here in Cuba”, Obama said.
There was no mention of the exchange between American journalists and the Cuban president.
Obama took a seat next to Cuban President Raúl Castro in the front row behind home plate.
The Brussels attacks have dominated debate in the United States presidential election race and cast a shadow over President Barack Obama’s visit to Cuba.
“It’s always a challenge when you have a terrorist attack anywhere in the world, especially in this world of 24/7 news coverage”, he said.
At least 34 people have been killed while 55 others were seriously injured in terrorist attacks at the Brussels worldwide airport and a city metro station. “We have a clear example of what the Cuban people can build, it’s called Miami”.
“There are still enormous problems in our society, but democracy is the way that we solve them”, he said. “You do not need to fear the different voices of the Cuban people”.
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Castro focused on old grievances such as the return of the Guantanamo Bay naval base, complained about a double standard on human rights and, unbelievably, claimed there were no political prisoners in his country.
