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Barack Obama to confirm deal to reopen US and Cuban embassies Barack Obama to confirm deal to reopen US and Cuban embassies
(35 minutes later)
The US and Cuba have agreed to open embassies in each other’s capitals in the biggest tangible step in their joint bid to restore ties after more than 50 years of hostilities.The US and Cuba have agreed to open embassies in each other’s capitals in the biggest tangible step in their joint bid to restore ties after more than 50 years of hostilities.
Barack Obama is expected to announce the agreement at the White House on Wednesday. The US embassy in Havana is scheduled to open later this month.Barack Obama is expected to announce the agreement at the White House on Wednesday. The US embassy in Havana is scheduled to open later this month.
The US and Cuba have been negotiating the re-establishment of embassies following a surprise announcement in December that secret talks had led to an agreement to restart diplomatic relations.The US and Cuba have been negotiating the re-establishment of embassies following a surprise announcement in December that secret talks had led to an agreement to restart diplomatic relations.
For Obama, ending the US freeze with Cuba is central to his foreign policy legacy as he nears the end of his presidency. He has long touted the value of direct engagement with global foes and argued that the US embargo on the communist island 90 miles south of Florida was ineffective. For Obama, ending the US freeze with Cuba is central to his foreign policy legacy as he nears the end of his presidency. He has long touted the value of direct engagement with America’s foes and argued that his country’s embargo on the communist island 90 miles south of Florida was ineffective.
A senior Obama administration official confirmed the embassy plans.A senior Obama administration official confirmed the embassy plans.
Related: US formally drops Cuba from terrorism 'blacklist'Related: US formally drops Cuba from terrorism 'blacklist'
The US secretary of state, John Kerry, who is in Vienna for the nuclear negotiations with Iran, is also expected to speak on the subject. Kerry has previously said that he would travel to Cuba for an embassy opening.The US secretary of state, John Kerry, who is in Vienna for the nuclear negotiations with Iran, is also expected to speak on the subject. Kerry has previously said that he would travel to Cuba for an embassy opening.
The US cut off diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961 after Fidel Castro’s revolution. It spent decades trying to either actively overthrow Cuba’s communist government or isolate the island, including toughening the economic embargo first imposed by the then president, Dwight Eisenhower. The US cut off diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961 after Fidel Castro’s revolution. It spent decades trying to either actively overthrow Cuba’s communist government or isolate the island, including toughening the economic embargo first imposed by President Dwight Eisenhower.
Since the late 1970s, the US and Cuba have operated diplomatic missions called interests sections in each other’s capitals. The missions are technically under the protection of Switzerland and do not enjoy the same status as embassies.Since the late 1970s, the US and Cuba have operated diplomatic missions called interests sections in each other’s capitals. The missions are technically under the protection of Switzerland and do not enjoy the same status as embassies.
While the opening of embassies marks a major milestone in the thaw between the US and Cuba, significant issues remain as the countries look to normalise relations. Among them are talks on human rights, demands for compensation for confiscated American properties in Havana and damages to Cuba from the embargo, and possible cooperation on law enforcement, including the touchy topic of US fugitives sheltering in Havana.While the opening of embassies marks a major milestone in the thaw between the US and Cuba, significant issues remain as the countries look to normalise relations. Among them are talks on human rights, demands for compensation for confiscated American properties in Havana and damages to Cuba from the embargo, and possible cooperation on law enforcement, including the touchy topic of US fugitives sheltering in Havana.
Related: Spies, artificial insemination and the pope: how Cuba came in from the coldRelated: Spies, artificial insemination and the pope: how Cuba came in from the cold
Obama also wants Congress to repeal the economic embargo on Cuba, though he faces resistance from Republicans and some Democrats. Those opposed to normalising relations with Cuba have said Obama is prematurely rewarding a regime that engages in serious human rights abuses.Obama also wants Congress to repeal the economic embargo on Cuba, though he faces resistance from Republicans and some Democrats. Those opposed to normalising relations with Cuba have said Obama is prematurely rewarding a regime that engages in serious human rights abuses.
The president also will face strong opposition in Congress to spending any public money on building or refurbishing an embassy in Havana. Congress would have to approve any administration request to spend on an embassy.The president also will face strong opposition in Congress to spending any public money on building or refurbishing an embassy in Havana. Congress would have to approve any administration request to spend on an embassy.