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| Castro to Obama: end the embargo and return Guantánamo – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 6.47pm GMT | |
| 18:47 | |
| A reporter asks Castro to expand on his hopeful remarks about “civilized coexistence”, and Castro gives a few examples. | |
| He notes the cooperation between doctors “In Haiti with cholera, and Africa with Ebola, that [cooperation] is the future of mankind if we want to save the human species.” | |
| “Water levels are rising,” he adds, alluding to US-Cuba cooperation on climate change, and then he loses his train of thought somewhat. “These are too many questions for me – I think some should go to President Obama.” | |
| Obama answers a question about the embargo. “We have administratively made a number of modifications on the embargo,” he says. | |
| “We’ve actually been fairly aggressive in exercising as much flexibility as we can given that the law putting the embargo in place has not been repealed by Congress.” | |
| “There may be some technical aspects that we can still make adjustments on depending on problems as they arise. For instance the issue around the dollar and the need to make modifications … to encourage rather than discourage reforms that the Cuban government itself is willing to engage in and to facilitate trade and commerce.” | |
| Obama blames Congress a bit for tying his hands: “Frankly Congress is not as active as I would like during presidential election years.” | |
| But he says he’s still hopeful: “The fact that we have such a large congressional delegation, including Republicans and Democrats, is an indication that there is growing interest for lifting the embargo.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 6.48pm GMT | |
| 6.42pm GMT | |
| 18:42 | |
| The second to Castro: this is a new direction for your country, why do you have Cuban political prisoners, and why don’t you release them? | |
| Castro is defiant. “Give me a list and I’ll release them,” he says, suggesting Cuba has none. “If we have those political prisoners they will be released before tonight ends.” | |
| A third to Castro: who do you prefer, Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? | |
| “Well, I can’t vote in the United States,” Castro jokes. | |
| NB: Obama did not answer the question about why he didn’t meet Fidel Castro. | |
| 6.38pm GMT | |
| 18:38 | |
| The presidents take questions. The first to Obama: how did you urge Castro on human rights and why didn’t you meet with Fidel Castro? | |
| Obama: “We had a very frank conversation around issues of democracy and human rights. Our starting point is we have two different systems, different systems of government, of economy. And we have decades of differences,” he says. | |
| “What I have said to President Castro is we are moving forward and not looking backward, that we don’t view Cuba as a threat to the United States. | |
| “America believes in democracy, we believe that freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion are not just American values but are universal values. | |
| “They may not be enshrined in the founding documents or constitution of every country … but the impulse, the human impulse toward freedom, the freedom that Jose Marti talked about, we think is a universal [freedom].” | |
| “President Castro has pointed out in his view that everybody gets decent education or healthcare,” Obama continues, “are universal human rights as well.” | |
| “I personally don’t disagree with him, but it doesn’t detract” from the other conversations, he insists. | |
| “It’s not for the United States to dictate to Cuba how they should govern themselves,” he continues. “Hopefully that we can learn from each other. It does not mean that it has to be the only issue that we talk about.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 6.41pm GMT | |
| 6.32pm GMT | |
| 18:32 | |
| “Even as Cubans prepare for the arrival of the Rolling Stones, we’re moving ahead,” with other cultural exchanges, Obama says. | |
| “We all look forward to tomorrow’s matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cuba’s national team, and more broadly we’re moving ahead with agreements on health, science and the environment.” | |
| He gives special praise to Cuban doctors who traveled to west Africa to combat Ebola. | |
| “As two countries threatened by climate change I believe we can work together to protect communities on low-lying coasts.” | |
| Finally, he says Cuba and the US are working on regional security, particularly human and drug trafficking – and resolving the 52-year war between Farc rebels and the government in Colombia. He adds that he and Castro only spoke briefly | |
| “We remain optimistic that Colombians can achieve a lasting” peace, Obama says. “As you indicated the road ahead won’t be easy, fortunately we don’t have to swim with sharks in order to achieve the goals we’ve set forth.” | |
| “I’m absolutely confident that if we stay on this course we can achieve a better and brighter future for the Cuban and American people. Muchas gracias.” | |
| 6.29pm GMT | |
| 18:29 | |
| The president begins his own laundry list of diplomatic achievements in the last year. | |
| He says the US has expanded new flights, and begun resuming cruises and ferry service, meaning “even more Americans visiting Cuba in the years ahead and appreciating the incredible history and culture of the Cuban people.” | |
| Then its trade. He says new rules allow the US dollar to be used more widely, more access to the dollar in international transactions, and allowing Cubans in the US to earn salaries. | |
| “Just as I continue to call on Congress to lift the trade embargo, I encouraged President Castro” to ease restrictions on business in Cuba itself, Obama says. | |
| Then he says “we want to help” bring Cuba online. “In the 21st century countries cannot be successful unless their citizens have access to the internet.” | |
| 6.26pm GMT | |
| 18:26 | |
| Obama warns his speech will be a little long: “We have a half a century of work to catch up on.” | |
| “Our growing engagement with Cuba is guided by one overarching goal: advancing the interest of our continent” and the lives of their nation’s peoples. | |
| He says he’s had “very frank and candid conversations” about human rights with Castro, which they have great differences on. | |
| Then he praises Cuba’s “enormous achievements” in education and healthcare, and says the US has no interest in directing the island’s fate. | |
| That’s “not be decided by the United states or any other nation,” he says. “Cuba is sovereign and rightly has great pride. And the future of Cuba will be decided by Cubans, and not by anybody else.” | |
| Obama adds that he appreciates Castro’s criticism of access to basic rights in the US: “We welcome that constructive dialogue as well. Because we believe that … we can learn and make the lives of our people better.” | |
| “I’m very pleased that we’ve agreed to hold our next Cuba-US human rights dialogue in Havana.” | |
| 6.22pm GMT | |
| 18:22 | |
| Obama speaks from Havana | |
| Barack Obama thanks Castro for his hospitality, and says that it would have been “unimaginable” for more than 50 years to hear an American president speak from Cuba. | |
| He briefly goes off the speech and gives his condolences to the family of a US marine killed in Iraq this weekend. Then he returns to his prepared remarks, saying that it was important to him and his family, including his two daughters, to join him on this trip. | |
| “They wanted to come to Cuba because they understood and we wanted to show them the beauty of Cuba and its people. We were moved by the Cubans who received us yesterday … we were grateful for the experience to see Old Havana.” | |
| He again praises Jose Marti, the 19th century poet who fought the Spanish, saying he values “not only his role in the fight for Cuban independence but his words.” | |
| “I bring with me the greetings and the friendship of the American people,” Obama continues, noting that he has dozens of members of Congress with him on the trip. | |
| He says it’s “the largest such delegation of my presidency and it indicates the excitement and interest in America in the process we’ve undertaken.” | |
| 6.19pm GMT | |
| 18:19 | |
| Castro says he hopes for “a new type of relationship, one that has never existed before.” | |
| “Destroying a bridge can be an easy and quick undertaking,” he says. “Its solid reconstruction can prove a long and difficult endeavor.” | |
| He then tells the story of Diane Nyad, an American swimmer who repeatedly tried to swim from Florida to Cuba without an anti-shark cage. She finally succeeded, Castro remembers. “Such a feat delivers a powerful message, one that should serve as an example to our nations.” | |
| “If she could do it, then we can do it too.” | |
| 6.16pm GMT | |
| 18:16 | |
| Castro says that he and Obama discussed international relations. | |
| “There are profound differences between our countries that will not go away, since we hold different ideas on many subjects, such as political systems, democracy, the exercise of human rights, social justice, international relations, and world peace and stability.” | |
| “We defend human rights. We consider that the civil, political, economic and cultural rights are indivisible, interdependent and unversal.” | |
| He then criticizes the US on a number of fronts: “Actually, we find it inconceivable that a government does not ensure the right to healthcare, education, social security, food, and development, equal pay, and the rights of children.” | |
| ”We oppose political manipulation and double standards in the approach to ciil rights,” he says, a line that could easily be read as a criticism of US actions in Guantánamo versus its rhetoric on human rights. | |
| He adds that he and Obama have agreed to keep talking. “We should learn the art of co-existing with our differences in a civilized manner.” | |
| “The revolutionary government is willing to advance toward normalization of relations because it is convinced that both countries can co-exist and cooperate in a civilized manner and for their mutual benefit, and thus contribute to peace, security and development in our continent and around the world.” | |
| 6.11pm GMT | 6.11pm GMT |
| 18:11 | 18:11 |
| Castro: end the embargo and return Guantánamo | Castro: end the embargo and return Guantánamo |
| Castro continues to say that there’s also been progress on projects to bring medicines to Cuba. | Castro continues to say that there’s also been progress on projects to bring medicines to Cuba. |
| “Much more could be done if the US blockade were lifted,” he says. “We recognize the position of president Obama and his administration against the blockade, and his repeated appeals to Congress to have it removed. | “Much more could be done if the US blockade were lifted,” he says. “We recognize the position of president Obama and his administration against the blockade, and his repeated appeals to Congress to have it removed. |
| “The most reasoned measures adopted by his administration are positive but insufficient. | “The most reasoned measures adopted by his administration are positive but insufficient. |
| “I had the opportunity to discuss with the president other steps that could be taken to remove restrictions that remain in force and make a significant effect in the reduction of the blockade. | “I had the opportunity to discuss with the president other steps that could be taken to remove restrictions that remain in force and make a significant effect in the reduction of the blockade. |
| “The blockade remains in force and it contains discouraging elements and intimidating effects and [is guilty of] extraterritorial outreach.” | “The blockade remains in force and it contains discouraging elements and intimidating effects and [is guilty of] extraterritorial outreach.” |
| He says he told Obama about some examples of how the blockade hurts Cuba and other countries. “It would bring benefits to Cuban emigres who wish the best for their families.” | |
| Castro also says Cuba demands the US: “return the territory illegally occupied by Guantánamo Base.” | Castro also says Cuba demands the US: “return the territory illegally occupied by Guantánamo Base.” |
| He also takes a swipe at pro-democracy efforts: “No one should demand the Cuban people renounce their freedom and sovereignty.” | He also takes a swipe at pro-democracy efforts: “No one should demand the Cuban people renounce their freedom and sovereignty.” |
| Updated | |
| at 6.42pm GMT | |
| 6.07pm GMT | 6.07pm GMT |
| 18:07 | 18:07 |
| Castro delivers remarks | Castro delivers remarks |
| Barack Obama and Raúl Castro are at the podiums, and Castro begins. | Barack Obama and Raúl Castro are at the podiums, and Castro begins. |
| “Mr President Barack Obama, We are pleased to welcome you on this the first visit of a president of the United states of America to our country in 88 years. | “Mr President Barack Obama, We are pleased to welcome you on this the first visit of a president of the United states of America to our country in 88 years. |
| “In the 15 months that have passed since the decsion was made to establish diplomatic relations, we have achieved concrete results.” | “In the 15 months that have passed since the decsion was made to establish diplomatic relations, we have achieved concrete results.” |
| “We were able to resume direct postal exchanges and we signed an agreement to resume commercial flights.” | “We were able to resume direct postal exchanges and we signed an agreement to resume commercial flights.” |
| He praises agreements on the protection of maritime environments and the rights of sea navigation, and he says today another agreement will be signed on agriculture. He says there are teams no working on deals to fight drug trafficking and to work together on medical initiatives, including one to combat the Zika virus. | He praises agreements on the protection of maritime environments and the rights of sea navigation, and he says today another agreement will be signed on agriculture. He says there are teams no working on deals to fight drug trafficking and to work together on medical initiatives, including one to combat the Zika virus. |
| “Cuban enterprises and their American counterparts are working to identify possible commercial operations that could materialize in the still restrictive framework of regulations. Some have already begun, especially in telecommunications.” | “Cuban enterprises and their American counterparts are working to identify possible commercial operations that could materialize in the still restrictive framework of regulations. Some have already begun, especially in telecommunications.” |
| 5.56pm GMT | 5.56pm GMT |
| 17:56 | 17:56 |
| We’re waiting on Barack Obama and Raúl Castro, who’ve finished the first bilateral meeting between an American and Cuban president and are expected to deliver remarks any minute now. | We’re waiting on Barack Obama and Raúl Castro, who’ve finished the first bilateral meeting between an American and Cuban president and are expected to deliver remarks any minute now. |
| Obama's closest adviser Valerie Jarrett waits for her boss to walk into the press conference with Raul Castro pic.twitter.com/MaW09RswQv | Obama's closest adviser Valerie Jarrett waits for her boss to walk into the press conference with Raul Castro pic.twitter.com/MaW09RswQv |
| 5.44pm GMT | 5.44pm GMT |
| 17:44 | 17:44 |
| Jonathan Watts | Jonathan Watts |
| The Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, Jonathan Watts, is with the giant American delegation to Cuba and investigating a conspicuous lack of Castro yesterday when Barack Obama landed in Havana. | The Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, Jonathan Watts, is with the giant American delegation to Cuba and investigating a conspicuous lack of Castro yesterday when Barack Obama landed in Havana. |
| There has been a lot of speculation in Havana about why Castro did not welcome Obama at the airport on Sunday, as he did for Pope Francis last September. Instead, the official greeting was from foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez. | There has been a lot of speculation in Havana about why Castro did not welcome Obama at the airport on Sunday, as he did for Pope Francis last September. Instead, the official greeting was from foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez. |
| This was also a lower level of protocol than Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan president Nicholas Maduro received – both leaders were met by the government’s number two, Diaz Cannel. | This was also a lower level of protocol than Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan president Nicholas Maduro received – both leaders were met by the government’s number two, Diaz Cannel. |
| Asked whether this was a snub, US officials dismissed Castro’s absence. saying it was not normal or expected on visits of this type to be met at the airport by a president. Maybe “US normal” is different from “Cuban normal”? | Asked whether this was a snub, US officials dismissed Castro’s absence. saying it was not normal or expected on visits of this type to be met at the airport by a president. Maybe “US normal” is different from “Cuban normal”? |
| It has been a challenge getting around Havana today because of the traffic disruption caused by the Obama motorcade. Chunks of the city have been blocked off and drivers are never sure how long they will have to wait. | It has been a challenge getting around Havana today because of the traffic disruption caused by the Obama motorcade. Chunks of the city have been blocked off and drivers are never sure how long they will have to wait. |
| As he got more frustrated this morning, my driver started singing a ditty, “Oh Obama, que vienes a hacer, aqui en Habana?” | As he got more frustrated this morning, my driver started singing a ditty, “Oh Obama, que vienes a hacer, aqui en Habana?” |
| En ingles: “Oh Obama, what have you come to do, here in Havana?” | En ingles: “Oh Obama, what have you come to do, here in Havana?” |