This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35856126

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Barack Obama in Cuba at start of historic visit Barack Obama in Cuba at start of historic visit
(35 minutes later)
President Barack Obama has arrived in Cuba for a historic visit to the island and talks with its communist leader.President Barack Obama has arrived in Cuba for a historic visit to the island and talks with its communist leader.
He is the first sitting US president to visit since the 1959 revolution, which heralded decades of hostility.He is the first sitting US president to visit since the 1959 revolution, which heralded decades of hostility.
"Looking forward to meeting and hearing directly from the Cuban people," he tweeted on arrival."Looking forward to meeting and hearing directly from the Cuban people," he tweeted on arrival.
Mr Obama will meet President Raul Castro, but not retired revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, and the pair will discuss trade and political reform.Mr Obama will meet President Raul Castro, but not retired revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, and the pair will discuss trade and political reform.
The US president emerged smiling from Air Force One with First Lady Michelle and their daughters Sasha and Malia.The US president emerged smiling from Air Force One with First Lady Michelle and their daughters Sasha and Malia.
Holding umbrellas, the party walked in light drizzle along a red carpet to be greeted by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.Holding umbrellas, the party walked in light drizzle along a red carpet to be greeted by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.
Two hours after landing, Mr Obama greeted staff from the reopened US embassy, calling his trip "a historic visit and a historic opportunity".
The Obamas later began a walkabout in historic Old Havana with a visit to a cathedral.
President Obama's visit is the highpoint of a recent easing of ties, which included the opening of embassies last year.President Obama's visit is the highpoint of a recent easing of ties, which included the opening of embassies last year.
Sopel: Win-win for US and CubaSopel: Win-win for US and Cuba
Six sticking points to better relationsSix sticking points to better relations
A new DIY economy in CubaA new DIY economy in Cuba
Fidel followers remain nervous of thawFidel followers remain nervous of thaw
But only hours before his arrival, protesters calling for the release of political prisoners were arrested in the capital, Havana.But only hours before his arrival, protesters calling for the release of political prisoners were arrested in the capital, Havana.
Police took away dozens of demonstrators from the Ladies in White group, formed of political prisoners' wives, from outside a church where they attempt to hold weekly protests.Police took away dozens of demonstrators from the Ladies in White group, formed of political prisoners' wives, from outside a church where they attempt to hold weekly protests.
At the scene: Tara McKelvey, BBC NewsAt the scene: Tara McKelvey, BBC News
Reporters from the US, Spain, France and, of course, Cuba waited at Havana airport, standing on wooden benches painted white to ward off the harsh sun. But by the time Mr Obama arrived it was raining. Before President Obama arrived, US and Cuban officials got into tense discussions on the tarmac over security questions - and how close Cuban photographers could get to Mr Obama after he arrived.
Journalists draped suit jackets over cameras and took notes on damp sheets of paper. They were in good spirits, though. Especially the Cubans. Speaking through an interpreter, the Americans tried to set strict boundaries for the photographers - a sign that even under the most friendly circumstances, officials from the two countries run into conflicts.
After Mr Obama's motorcade left the airport, the Havana-based reporters took selfies and posed for photos, holding their cameras high as if brandishing trophies. As Mr Obama spoke to US and Cuban officials, a photographer took pictures. A few minutes later, another US official rushed towards Mr Obama and his family members and gestured for the photographer to step back.
One, Roberto Chile, who works as a photographer for the Cuban government, had recorded the historic moment: "Today," he said, "We hug." Afterwards the presidential motorcade left the airport, and two of the vehicles were decorated with US and Cuban flags.
People stood on the side of the road near the airport as the motorcade passed by - some of the Cubans at the side of the road waved at the Americans in the cars.
Correspondents say the visit - the first by a sitting US president for 88 years - marks a huge turnaround in US-Cuban relations.Correspondents say the visit - the first by a sitting US president for 88 years - marks a huge turnaround in US-Cuban relations.
It is hard to overstate the significance of this trip because as recently as 18 months ago, the idea of a US president setting foot on Cuban soil would have been unthinkable, the BBC's North America editor Jon Sopel says.It is hard to overstate the significance of this trip because as recently as 18 months ago, the idea of a US president setting foot on Cuban soil would have been unthinkable, the BBC's North America editor Jon Sopel says.
It represents the opening of a new chapter in the affairs of the two nations, our correspondent says.It represents the opening of a new chapter in the affairs of the two nations, our correspondent says.
Mr Obama and Raul Castro will sit together at a state dinner, there will be a joint news conference and they will discuss trade.Mr Obama and Raul Castro will sit together at a state dinner, there will be a joint news conference and they will discuss trade.
The White House has made it clear President Obama will meet political dissidents, whether the Cuban authorities like it or not. That is expected to include members of the Ladies in White group.The White House has made it clear President Obama will meet political dissidents, whether the Cuban authorities like it or not. That is expected to include members of the Ladies in White group.
Economic sanctionsEconomic sanctions
This visit does not mark a complete normalisation in relations, however.This visit does not mark a complete normalisation in relations, however.
The 54-year-old US economic embargo of Cuba is still in place and can only be lifted by a vote in Congress. Meanwhile, Cuba still complains about the occupation of the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay.The 54-year-old US economic embargo of Cuba is still in place and can only be lifted by a vote in Congress. Meanwhile, Cuba still complains about the occupation of the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay.
Nevertheless enormous strides have already been taken, our correspondent says.Nevertheless enormous strides have already been taken, our correspondent says.
Mr Obama and Mr Castro agreed in December 2014 to end decades of frozen relations that began when Cuba's revolution overthrew a pro-US government.Mr Obama and Mr Castro agreed in December 2014 to end decades of frozen relations that began when Cuba's revolution overthrew a pro-US government.
Since 2014 there have been commercial deals on telecoms and a scheduled airline service, increased co-operation on law enforcement and environmental protection.Since 2014 there have been commercial deals on telecoms and a scheduled airline service, increased co-operation on law enforcement and environmental protection.
On Wednesday Mr Obama sent a letter on the first direct mail flight from the US to Cuba since the revolution.On Wednesday Mr Obama sent a letter on the first direct mail flight from the US to Cuba since the revolution.
And on Sunday, US hotel company Starwood become the first American firm to agree a deal with the Cuban authorities since 1959.And on Sunday, US hotel company Starwood become the first American firm to agree a deal with the Cuban authorities since 1959.
Although the US president is not scheduled to meet Fidel Castro, Cubans were reminded of their former veteran leader on Sunday as newspapers published pictures of him meeting Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro.Although the US president is not scheduled to meet Fidel Castro, Cubans were reminded of their former veteran leader on Sunday as newspapers published pictures of him meeting Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro.
Analysts suggested the release of the pictures underlines conflicting sentiments within the Communist Party over hosting Mr Obama.Analysts suggested the release of the pictures underlines conflicting sentiments within the Communist Party over hosting Mr Obama.
Thaw in US-Cuba relations:Thaw in US-Cuba relations: