The first visit by a US President in nearly 90 years continues the Cuban Thaw between the two former Cold War foes, but it has divided opinion in the neighbourhood largely populated by Cuban immigrants.
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For these reasons, President Obama’s visit, while welcome and important, needs to be seen in the context of other worldwide and domestic developments that are likely to have a more immediate and significant effect on change in Cuba.
Announcing that Obama’s speech would be carried live on Cuban television, Rodriguez said Cubans would be able to draw their own conclusions from the president. Increasingly, though, that’s becoming a minority view among Cuban-Americans, as well as the broader USA population.
Don’t some people oppose his trip to Cuba?
Sanchez is one of the founders of Cuba’s human-rights movement and an interesting political figure.
With wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia in tow, Obama will tour Old Havana, sit down with Raul Castro – although not his brother Fidel – and speak directly to Cubans who have been inculcated in a lifetime of propaganda against imperialist Yankees. But the changes so far have done more to enhance the lifestyles of a few than to bring freedom and opportunity to the majority of Cubans. The trip will mark a watershed moment in U.S.-Cuba relations, making Obama the first sitting U.S. president to set foot on the island in almost seven decades.
Also joining Obama will be the state’s newest member of Congress, Democrat Seth Moulton, one of 60 co-sponsors of a bill aimed at ending restrictions on travel by American citizens and legal residents to Cuba.
In his talks with Maduro, Castro reiterated unconditional solidarity with Chavez, the Bolivarian revolution and the civil-military union of the Venezuelan people led by President Maduro.
In response, President Castro, while welcoming his visitor is likely to be clear that Cuba will not compromise its hard fought for independence and political and social approach. The trip, which is the first visit by a US president since 2005, clearly recognizes the newly elected President’s determination to reinsert Argentina into the global economy, as well as his willingness to build a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States.
“We believe the Cuban people, like people everywhere, are best served by genuine democracy”, Rice said.
Supporters of Obama’s policy say the total number of Republican supporters in the House and Senate reaches several dozen.
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Any American can now travel to Cuba under 12 categories of legally permissible purposes, which include professional, religious and journalistic activities.
