This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/mar/22/obama-cuba-visit-speech-live-day-two-havana
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Obama in Cuba: 'I have come to bury the last remnant of the cold war' – live | Obama in Cuba: 'I have come to bury the last remnant of the cold war' – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.59pm GMT | |
| 16:59 | |
| Lisa O'Carroll | |
| Back out on the streets of Havana, my colleague Lisa O’Carroll has met a state employee who minces no words about how hard life in Havana can be, and the turn toward tourism as the island cracks open its doors to the world. | |
| “Isabella” is a state employee in the picturesque Cuban town of Cienfuegos, famed for its French-inspired classical architecture. | |
| Isabella is sick of her government job. She earns about $20 a month and dreams of opening a bed and breakfast. | |
| To Cubans, opening your home to tourists, is like awarding yourself the lottery. Isabella says she used to be “a Fidelista” until a few years ago. | |
| “I turned 42 and I thought, ‘42 years on this earth and for what?’ Nothing. I earn 20 pesos a month working for the government. It’s nothing. I’m tired of working for nothing. People are hungry here. I need money for food for clothes for shoes.” | |
| If she could open a bed and breakfast, known as “casa particulare” she feels she would be minted, able to reel in at least $20 a night per bedroom. | |
| A mother of a 15-year old boy, she is better off than most but had to emigrate first. She lived with her parents and wanted a place of her own, but it was impossible on her salary. “I worked for two years in Italy like a slave, cleaning rooms and subjected to racism. | |
| “I worked every hour to save 6,000 pesos to buy a house. She wants to open a casa particulare, or bed and breakfast but can’t because her home is an hour from the tourist centre of the town. She Looked at a five bedroom colonial house on the waterfront but it would cost $90,000. | |
| “If you have 90k you are a criminal, nobody has that kind of money,” she says | |
| Tourism has a bright future in Cuba, with up to 80 direct daily flights from the US predicted in the coming year. But in cities like Havana and picture postcard towns like Trinidad, a world heritage site already full to bursting, the country is straining to cope with unprecedented demand. | |
| Once a rare sight, tourists from the US, Germany, France, the UK and Canada in particular are descending in droves and turning places like Trinidad into something like a human zoo. Cuba received a record 3.42 million tourists last year up 17% on 2014, and it is difficult to see how its crumbling hotels and unprepared residents can absorb any more. | |
| State owned hotels in the capital range from the famous National hotel and elegant colonial gems such as Hotel Seville, a setting in Graham Green’s Our Man in Havana are out of reach for the majority at between $200 and $600 a night. | |
| On the other end of the spectrum are decrepit options such as Hotel Lincoln, where I stayed last night, at $49 a night. | |
| In between are the casa pariculares. such as the elegant colonial house Hostal Balcones, typically cost $25 to $59 a night but there are still not enough to cope with the numbers. | |
| Despite some scamming taxi drivers, Cuba is notably a safe place to walk around at any time of day without watching your wallet. People are exceptionally friendly, and often invite you into their home – one local invited me into her home yesterday to watch Obama. | |
| 4.50pm GMT | |
| 16:50 | |
| T minus 40 minutes to baseball. | |
| Serious crowd crush to get into stadium but Tampa Bay Rays vs Cuban national team already has the look of epic game. pic.twitter.com/YC50MZ1KbO | |
| 4.29pm GMT | 4.29pm GMT |
| 16:29 | 16:29 |
| Lisa O'Carroll | Lisa O'Carroll |
| David Wright, an American living in Cuba, confirmed that the Obama visit was off limits for the Cuban public. “I would have loved to see my president,” he said. | David Wright, an American living in Cuba, confirmed that the Obama visit was off limits for the Cuban public. “I would have loved to see my president,” he said. |
| David Wright, a rare sight - an American living in Havana. Would hv loved to see Obama at baseball but not allowed. pic.twitter.com/Ua7XuTBDki | David Wright, a rare sight - an American living in Havana. Would hv loved to see Obama at baseball but not allowed. pic.twitter.com/Ua7XuTBDki |
| “We only heard this morning on the news that he was giving the speech here and we raced to get into town but the whole place was in shut down and we missed it.” | “We only heard this morning on the news that he was giving the speech here and we raced to get into town but the whole place was in shut down and we missed it.” |
| An avid baseball fan, he also tried in vain to get a ticket to the Obama game. “I got up early and went to the embassy every day for two weeks,” he said. | An avid baseball fan, he also tried in vain to get a ticket to the Obama game. “I got up early and went to the embassy every day for two weeks,” he said. |
| “My wife’s step mother is a Cuban diplomat. We tried to pull every string but for the general public it was impossible. It’s just dignitaries and a handful of invitees.” | “My wife’s step mother is a Cuban diplomat. We tried to pull every string but for the general public it was impossible. It’s just dignitaries and a handful of invitees.” |
| So few Cubans allowed see Obama visit. Just hotel staff inside cordon. Such a shame for Cuban people. pic.twitter.com/HTk1XrnFyu | So few Cubans allowed see Obama visit. Just hotel staff inside cordon. Such a shame for Cuban people. pic.twitter.com/HTk1XrnFyu |
| 4.14pm GMT | 4.14pm GMT |
| 16:14 | 16:14 |
| After his speech, Obama met with dissidents and local leaders at the new US embassy. | After his speech, Obama met with dissidents and local leaders at the new US embassy. |
| He told the White House press corps, Guardian DC bureau chief Dan Roberts among them, that he’d met some of the activists before, in Miami and at the Summit of the Americas in Panama. | He told the White House press corps, Guardian DC bureau chief Dan Roberts among them, that he’d met some of the activists before, in Miami and at the Summit of the Americas in Panama. |
| Berta Soler, leader of the activist group called Ladies in White, was in the room, as was Elizardo Sanchez, spokesman of Cuban Commission for Human Rights and Reconciliation. According to that group, there were 2.555 detentions for political reasons in Cuba in January and February alone. | Berta Soler, leader of the activist group called Ladies in White, was in the room, as was Elizardo Sanchez, spokesman of Cuban Commission for Human Rights and Reconciliation. According to that group, there were 2.555 detentions for political reasons in Cuba in January and February alone. |
| Below are the president’s remarks, per the pool report. | Below are the president’s remarks, per the pool report. |
| “All of the individuals around this table have shown extraordinary courage,” he said. “They have spoken out on behalf of the issues that they care deeply about. Some of them represent specific constituencies inside of Cuba. | “All of the individuals around this table have shown extraordinary courage,” he said. “They have spoken out on behalf of the issues that they care deeply about. Some of them represent specific constituencies inside of Cuba. |
| “Some of them have broader concerns regarding democracy, the ability to speak freely, worship freely, or assemble or are advocating on behalf of democratic practices here in Cuba. | “Some of them have broader concerns regarding democracy, the ability to speak freely, worship freely, or assemble or are advocating on behalf of democratic practices here in Cuba. |
| “There are people here who have been detained. Some in the past, some very recently. And as I have said consistently, part of our policy with respect to engagement with Cuba is not simply me meeting with President Castro or government-to-government relations. Much of this is a matter of us being able to hear directly from the Cuban people and making sure that they have a voice and making sure that their concerns and their ideas are helping to shape US policy. | “There are people here who have been detained. Some in the past, some very recently. And as I have said consistently, part of our policy with respect to engagement with Cuba is not simply me meeting with President Castro or government-to-government relations. Much of this is a matter of us being able to hear directly from the Cuban people and making sure that they have a voice and making sure that their concerns and their ideas are helping to shape US policy. |
| “I want to thank all of them for being here. It requires oftentimes great courage to be active in civic life here in Cuba. | “I want to thank all of them for being here. It requires oftentimes great courage to be active in civic life here in Cuba. |
| “This is an area where we continue to have deep differences with the Cuban government. My hope is that by listening and hearing from them that we can continue to refine our policy in such a way that ultimately the Cuban people are able to live freely and prosperously.” | “This is an area where we continue to have deep differences with the Cuban government. My hope is that by listening and hearing from them that we can continue to refine our policy in such a way that ultimately the Cuban people are able to live freely and prosperously.” |
| At start of meeting with Cuban dissidents and others, Pres says he wants to hear directly from them. pic.twitter.com/AxK1dNJIKK | At start of meeting with Cuban dissidents and others, Pres says he wants to hear directly from them. pic.twitter.com/AxK1dNJIKK |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.17pm GMT | at 4.17pm GMT |
| 3.45pm GMT | 3.45pm GMT |
| 15:45 | 15:45 |
| Key points of Obama's speech | Key points of Obama's speech |
| A quick summary of Barack Obama’s speech to the Cuban people from Havana. At the moment the president is meeting with activists and local leaders. | A quick summary of Barack Obama’s speech to the Cuban people from Havana. At the moment the president is meeting with activists and local leaders. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.13pm GMT | at 4.13pm GMT |
| 3.25pm GMT | 3.25pm GMT |
| 15:25 | 15:25 |
| Lisa O'Carroll | Lisa O'Carroll |
| But not all Cubans are so critical of Barack Obama’s speech, my colleague Lisa O’Carroll reports from Havana. She watched the speech with staffers at the Parque Central Hotel. | But not all Cubans are so critical of Barack Obama’s speech, my colleague Lisa O’Carroll reports from Havana. She watched the speech with staffers at the Parque Central Hotel. |
| “It was a beautiful speech, he said things I think: we have to forget the past and thing of the future,” said Sahely Monduy, one of the staff at the Parque Central hotel lucky enough to watch live feed of Obama’s speech. | “It was a beautiful speech, he said things I think: we have to forget the past and thing of the future,” said Sahely Monduy, one of the staff at the Parque Central hotel lucky enough to watch live feed of Obama’s speech. |
| “It will be difficult for Obama when he goes back because he has opponents who want the blockade to stay. But we hope,” she added. | “It will be difficult for Obama when he goes back because he has opponents who want the blockade to stay. But we hope,” she added. |
| “It’s good for the Cuban people to have a new relationship. It was a great speech,” said her colleague William Guerrero. | “It’s good for the Cuban people to have a new relationship. It was a great speech,” said her colleague William Guerrero. |
| And the AP’s Andrea Rodriguez watched with a Mrs Delsi. “This man is brave,” Delsi said. | And the AP’s Andrea Rodriguez watched with a Mrs Delsi. “This man is brave,” Delsi said. |
| Este hombre es valiente, dice sra Delsi mirando discurso de #Obama pic.twitter.com/7RkbyxG3ni | Este hombre es valiente, dice sra Delsi mirando discurso de #Obama pic.twitter.com/7RkbyxG3ni |
| 3.05pm GMT | 3.05pm GMT |
| 15:05 | 15:05 |
| Dissident deems speech 'terrible' | Dissident deems speech 'terrible' |
| Jonathan Watts | Jonathan Watts |
| At least one prominent Cuban dissident has found Obama’s speech wanting: my colleague Jonathan Watts listened to the speech with Ailer Gonzalez, a pro-democracy activist and the wife of a dissident detained on Sunday in the middle of a peaceful protest. | At least one prominent Cuban dissident has found Obama’s speech wanting: my colleague Jonathan Watts listened to the speech with Ailer Gonzalez, a pro-democracy activist and the wife of a dissident detained on Sunday in the middle of a peaceful protest. |
| We watched in a home full of plants, paintings and jazz posters. The television is a throwback to an earlier age. Reception was very grainy and the sound cut from time to time. Gonzalez’s views are fairly representative of the pro-democracy activists, if not the Cuban population at large. | We watched in a home full of plants, paintings and jazz posters. The television is a throwback to an earlier age. Reception was very grainy and the sound cut from time to time. Gonzalez’s views are fairly representative of the pro-democracy activists, if not the Cuban population at large. |
| She was decidedly worked up by this speech, but not in the way Obama would have like. She shook her head and groaned at the talk of salsa and Gloria Estefan. | She was decidedly worked up by this speech, but not in the way Obama would have like. She shook her head and groaned at the talk of salsa and Gloria Estefan. |
| “So weak! Bullshit! So far this speech is a gift to Raúl Castro. He will love this.” | “So weak! Bullshit! So far this speech is a gift to Raúl Castro. He will love this.” |
| The activist started hurling curses at the television. But the dissident household quieted when Obama talks of the need for rule of law, freedom of assembly, for democratic elections and for the right to protest without fear. | The activist started hurling curses at the television. But the dissident household quieted when Obama talks of the need for rule of law, freedom of assembly, for democratic elections and for the right to protest without fear. |
| “That’s the only good part so far,” Ailer said. “But there’s a difference between saying, ‘I believe in this,’ and stating, ‘this [oppression of activists] is actually happening now in Cuba.’ Because it is.” | “That’s the only good part so far,” Ailer said. “But there’s a difference between saying, ‘I believe in this,’ and stating, ‘this [oppression of activists] is actually happening now in Cuba.’ Because it is.” |
| Obama’s talk of a “new era” drew only snorts of derision. “So we are in a new era with the same old dictator? That’s a total contradiction!” | Obama’s talk of a “new era” drew only snorts of derision. “So we are in a new era with the same old dictator? That’s a total contradiction!” |
| As the audience applauded Obama’s speech, Ailer grew incandescent with rage. “That was a speech that will perpetuate the dictatorship. He didn’t challenge them. He didn’t mention the word ‘opposition’ even once. | As the audience applauded Obama’s speech, Ailer grew incandescent with rage. “That was a speech that will perpetuate the dictatorship. He didn’t challenge them. He didn’t mention the word ‘opposition’ even once. |
| “He told us to forget the past, to forget the horror and pain of exiles. He talked about what he believed but didn’t talk about what is happening. It was exactly what I expected from him. It was terrible.” | “He told us to forget the past, to forget the horror and pain of exiles. He talked about what he believed but didn’t talk about what is happening. It was exactly what I expected from him. It was terrible.” |
| 2.56pm GMT | 2.56pm GMT |
| 14:56 | 14:56 |
| Obama: time to leave the past behind | Obama: time to leave the past behind |
| Sometimes history starts small, Obama says in the conclusion of his speech. | Sometimes history starts small, Obama says in the conclusion of his speech. |
| |The tides of history can leave people in conflict and exile and poverty,” he goes on, “but the recognition of a common humanity. The reconciliation of a people bound by blood and the belief in one another – that’s where progress begins.” | |The tides of history can leave people in conflict and exile and poverty,” he goes on, “but the recognition of a common humanity. The reconciliation of a people bound by blood and the belief in one another – that’s where progress begins.” |
| He calls on the young people of to move their country forward – another subtle call for them to walk toward democracy. Then he makes one final nod to the past, saying the Americas’ histories “encompass revolution and conflict, struggle and sacrifice, retribution and now reconciliation. | He calls on the young people of to move their country forward – another subtle call for them to walk toward democracy. Then he makes one final nod to the past, saying the Americas’ histories “encompass revolution and conflict, struggle and sacrifice, retribution and now reconciliation. |
| “It is time now for us to leave the past behind. It is time for us to look forward together. Un futuro de esperanza” – a future of hope. | “It is time now for us to leave the past behind. It is time for us to look forward together. Un futuro de esperanza” – a future of hope. |
| “My time here in Cuba renews my hope and my confidence in what the Cuban people can do. We will make this journey” together, he says. | “My time here in Cuba renews my hope and my confidence in what the Cuban people can do. We will make this journey” together, he says. |
| He delivers the closing line of the speech in a quieter tone: “Si se puede” – yes we can. “Muchas gracias.” | He delivers the closing line of the speech in a quieter tone: “Si se puede” – yes we can. “Muchas gracias.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.14pm GMT | at 3.14pm GMT |
| 2.50pm GMT | 2.50pm GMT |
| 14:50 | 14:50 |
| Obama speaks of the Cuban exiles and their children in the United States: “I can tell you today that so many Cuban exiles carry a memory of painful and sometimes violent separation. They love Cuba. A part of them still considers this their true home. That’s why their passion is so strong, that’s why their heartache is so great.” | Obama speaks of the Cuban exiles and their children in the United States: “I can tell you today that so many Cuban exiles carry a memory of painful and sometimes violent separation. They love Cuba. A part of them still considers this their true home. That’s why their passion is so strong, that’s why their heartache is so great.” |
| “This is not just about politics. This is about family,” he says. | “This is not just about politics. This is about family,” he says. |
| Obama adds that “the home that was lost, the bond that was broken” – these are the trials of Cubans and Cuban Americans. | Obama adds that “the home that was lost, the bond that was broken” – these are the trials of Cubans and Cuban Americans. |
| “People are people and Cubans are Cubans,” he says. “The reconciliation of the Cuban people,” between children of revolutions and exiles, he says, is central to Cuba’s future. | “People are people and Cubans are Cubans,” he says. “The reconciliation of the Cuban people,” between children of revolutions and exiles, he says, is central to Cuba’s future. |
| 2.48pm GMT | 2.48pm GMT |
| 14:48 | 14:48 |
| 'New era of the Americas' | |
| Obama then lists some of the joint projects the US and Cuba have already begin: brokering peace in Colombia’s 50-year guerrilla war, fighting Ebola in Africa, etc. | Obama then lists some of the joint projects the US and Cuba have already begin: brokering peace in Colombia’s 50-year guerrilla war, fighting Ebola in Africa, etc. |
| Then the president recalls first meeting Raúl Castro at the funeral of Nelson Mandela, and that they recognized the South African leader’s example. | Then the president recalls first meeting Raúl Castro at the funeral of Nelson Mandela, and that they recognized the South African leader’s example. |
| “We’ve been a part of different blocs of nations in the hemisphere, and we will continue to have profound differences,” he says. But as we normalize our relations I believe we can foster a new sense of unity in the Americas. | “We’ve been a part of different blocs of nations in the hemisphere, and we will continue to have profound differences,” he says. But as we normalize our relations I believe we can foster a new sense of unity in the Americas. |
| “We are all Americans,” he says in Spanish. He urges American countries to relax their grip on ideologies and the disputes between them. “We are in a new era.” | “We are all Americans,” he says in Spanish. He urges American countries to relax their grip on ideologies and the disputes between them. “We are in a new era.” |
| Related: Obama’s Cuba visit is latest step towards ‘new alliance of the Americas’ | Related: Obama’s Cuba visit is latest step towards ‘new alliance of the Americas’ |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.41pm GMT | |
| 2.45pm GMT | 2.45pm GMT |
| 14:45 | 14:45 |
| Do not fear free speech, Obama tells Castro | |
| “There’s already an evolution taking place inside of Cuba, a generational change. Many suggested that I come here and ask the people to tear something down,” Obama continues. He says he wants Cubans to lift something up. | “There’s already an evolution taking place inside of Cuba, a generational change. Many suggested that I come here and ask the people to tear something down,” Obama continues. He says he wants Cubans to lift something up. |
| I’m appealing to the young people of Cuba, he goes on. | I’m appealing to the young people of Cuba, he goes on. |
| “The future of Cuba has to be in the hands of the Cuban people,” he says in Spanish. | “The future of Cuba has to be in the hands of the Cuban people,” he says in Spanish. |
| Then he addresses Castro directly: he tells him“you need not fear” the voices of the Cuban people. He says he hopes Cuba will play a large part in the western world. | Then he addresses Castro directly: he tells him“you need not fear” the voices of the Cuban people. He says he hopes Cuba will play a large part in the western world. |
| “My hope is that you can do so as a partner with the United States.” | “My hope is that you can do so as a partner with the United States.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.41pm GMT | |
| 2.43pm GMT | 2.43pm GMT |
| 14:43 | 14:43 |
| “Now there’s no secret our governments disagree,” Obama goes on, again referring to “frank” conversations with Raúl Castro. | “Now there’s no secret our governments disagree,” Obama goes on, again referring to “frank” conversations with Raúl Castro. |
| “Economic inequality, the death penalty, racial discrimination, wars abroad. That’s just a sample, he has a much longer list,” Obama jokes. “But here’s what the Cuban people need to understand,” he says, welcomes the disagreements. | “Economic inequality, the death penalty, racial discrimination, wars abroad. That’s just a sample, he has a much longer list,” Obama jokes. “But here’s what the Cuban people need to understand,” he says, welcomes the disagreements. |
| “We do have too much money in American politics. But in America it’s still possible for sombeody like me,” he goes on, “to pursue and achieve the highest office in the land. That’s what’s possible in America.” | “We do have too much money in American politics. But in America it’s still possible for sombeody like me,” he goes on, “to pursue and achieve the highest office in the land. That’s what’s possible in America.” |
| Because of those freedoms, because of those debates, he’s able to stand there as African American president of the United States, he says. | Because of those freedoms, because of those debates, he’s able to stand there as African American president of the United States, he says. |
| “There’s still enormous problems in our society. But democracy is the way we solve them.” | “There’s still enormous problems in our society. But democracy is the way we solve them.” |
| He then talks about expanding healthcare, gay rights, fighting inequality, and the fact that there were two Cuban American Republicans running for president and a woman and a democratic socialist still in the 2016 presidential race. | He then talks about expanding healthcare, gay rights, fighting inequality, and the fact that there were two Cuban American Republicans running for president and a woman and a democratic socialist still in the 2016 presidential race. |
| “Who would have believed that back in 1959?” That’s a measure of our progress as a democracy.” | “Who would have believed that back in 1959?” That’s a measure of our progress as a democracy.” |
| There are fewer than couple of dozen people clapping in here now as Obama calls for free and open elections, and end to arbitrary detention. | There are fewer than couple of dozen people clapping in here now as Obama calls for free and open elections, and end to arbitrary detention. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.01pm GMT | at 4.01pm GMT |
| 2.40pm GMT | 2.40pm GMT |
| 14:40 | 14:40 |
| “I believe that every person should be equal under the law. Every child deserves the dignity that comes with healthcare, and education,” Obama says. | “I believe that every person should be equal under the law. Every child deserves the dignity that comes with healthcare, and education,” Obama says. |
| “I believe citizens should be free to speak their mind without fear. To organize and to criticize their government, and to protest peacefully. And that the rule of law should not include arbitrary detentions of people who exercise those rights.” | “I believe citizens should be free to speak their mind without fear. To organize and to criticize their government, and to protest peacefully. And that the rule of law should not include arbitrary detentions of people who exercise those rights.” |
| “I believe that every person should have the freedom to exercise their faith peacefully and publicly.” | “I believe that every person should have the freedom to exercise their faith peacefully and publicly.” |
| “And yes I believe … [in] free and democratic elections. Not everybody agrees with me on this.” | “And yes I believe … [in] free and democratic elections. Not everybody agrees with me on this.” |
| “But I believe those human rights are universal. I believe they are the rights of the American people, the Cuban people and people around the world.” | “But I believe those human rights are universal. I believe they are the rights of the American people, the Cuban people and people around the world.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.46pm GMT | at 2.46pm GMT |
| 2.37pm GMT | 2.37pm GMT |
| 14:37 | 14:37 |
| He then says that these reforms require “the free and open exchange of ideas” – a veiled call for freedom of speech. | He then says that these reforms require “the free and open exchange of ideas” – a veiled call for freedom of speech. |
| “I know these issues are sensitive, especially coming from an American president. Before 1959, some Americans saw Cuba as something to exploit. Ignored poverty, enabled corruption.” | “I know these issues are sensitive, especially coming from an American president. Before 1959, some Americans saw Cuba as something to exploit. Ignored poverty, enabled corruption.” |
| “Since 1959 we’ve been shadowboxers in these politics,” he says. “I know the history, but I refuse to be trapped by it” | “Since 1959 we’ve been shadowboxers in these politics,” he says. “I know the history, but I refuse to be trapped by it” |
| “We will not impose our political or economic system on you. We recognize that every country, every people,” must choose their own model he says. | “We will not impose our political or economic system on you. We recognize that every country, every people,” must choose their own model he says. |
| But he insists he needs to be honest with the Cuban people. As Marti said, “liberty is the right of every man to be honest,” Obama quotes the poet. | But he insists he needs to be honest with the Cuban people. As Marti said, “liberty is the right of every man to be honest,” Obama quotes the poet. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.17pm GMT | at 3.17pm GMT |
| 2.35pm GMT | 2.35pm GMT |
| 14:35 | 14:35 |
| “Being self-employed is not about becoming more like America,” Obama says. “It’s about being yourself.” | “Being self-employed is not about becoming more like America,” Obama says. “It’s about being yourself.” |
| He talks about some of the men and women he met yesterday at an entrepreneur event. “Hope begins,” he says, “with the ability to earn your own living.” | He talks about some of the men and women he met yesterday at an entrepreneur event. “Hope begins,” he says, “with the ability to earn your own living.” |
| This is the logic in the financial and trade reforms, and encouragement of travel between the US and Cuba, Obama explains. | This is the logic in the financial and trade reforms, and encouragement of travel between the US and Cuba, Obama explains. |
| “As president of the United States I have called on our Congress to lift the embargo.” | “As president of the United States I have called on our Congress to lift the embargo.” |
| The audience claps enthusiastically to that. Obama says it’s a burden on the Cuban people. “Even if we lifted the embargo tomorrow, Cubans would not realize their potential without continued change here in Cuba” – small applause for that. | The audience claps enthusiastically to that. Obama says it’s a burden on the Cuban people. “Even if we lifted the embargo tomorrow, Cubans would not realize their potential without continued change here in Cuba” – small applause for that. |
| “Two currencies shouldn’t separate the type of salaries Cubans can earn. The internet should be available across the island … There’s no limitation on the United States for Cuba to take these steps. It’s up to you.” | “Two currencies shouldn’t separate the type of salaries Cubans can earn. The internet should be available across the island … There’s no limitation on the United States for Cuba to take these steps. It’s up to you.” |
| 2.32pm GMT | 2.32pm GMT |
| 14:32 | 14:32 |
| “I believe in the Cuban people,” Obama tells the crowd, in Spanish and English. | “I believe in the Cuban people,” Obama tells the crowd, in Spanish and English. |
| The US is normalizing relations with those people, he says. Cuban young people should believe in hope – not “blind optimism” or cynicism – he goes on. | The US is normalizing relations with those people, he says. Cuban young people should believe in hope – not “blind optimism” or cynicism – he goes on. |
| “I’m hopeful because I believe that the Cuban people are as innovative as any people in the world,” he says. “In the United States we have a clear monument to what the Cuban people can build. It’s called Miami.” | “I’m hopeful because I believe that the Cuban people are as innovative as any people in the world,” he says. “In the United States we have a clear monument to what the Cuban people can build. It’s called Miami.” |
| Then he praises cuentapropistas and the ingenuity used to keep relic vehicles running. Cuba’s system of education is “an extraordinary resource”, he tells the crowd, to big applause. | Then he praises cuentapropistas and the ingenuity used to keep relic vehicles running. Cuba’s system of education is “an extraordinary resource”, he tells the crowd, to big applause. |
| "Many people ask 'why now?'," says Obama. "One simple answer. What the US was doing was not working" pic.twitter.com/dprGk9P03O | "Many people ask 'why now?'," says Obama. "One simple answer. What the US was doing was not working" pic.twitter.com/dprGk9P03O |