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Cuba and US to open embassies for the first time since 1961 Cuba and US formally restore diplomatic relations
(about 4 hours later)
For the first time in more than five decades, Cuba and the US will have embassies in Washington and Havana. Cuba and the US have formally restored diplomatic relations after an agreement struck last year putting aside decades of hostility came into force.
Cuban President Raul Castro said the hugely symbolic step was the start of a long and complex road to normalisation. Just after midnight on Monday, the diplomatic missions of each country became full embassies.
The US State Department spokesman John Kirby said there were still "issues that we don't see eye to eye on." US Secretary of State John Kerry is due to hold talks with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez later in the day in Washington.
The US and Cuba have had interest sections under the protection of Switzerland since 1977, but this move makes diplomatic business much easier. Despite the historic shift, both sides admit to lingering difficulties.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is due to hold talks with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez in Washington on Monday, another sign of the thawing of relations. There were still "issues that we don't see eye to eye on", a US state department spokesman said.
Despite the excitement surrounding closer ties, there are still restrictions on Americans wanting to travel to Cuba. Restrictions on Americans wanting to travel to Cuba remain in place, as does the wider US trade embargo banning most American companies from doing business in Cuba.
The wider US trade embargo banning most American companies from doing business in Cuba also remains in place.
Cuba says the embargo - which it calls a blockade - is hugely damaging to its economy.Cuba says the embargo - which it calls a blockade - is hugely damaging to its economy.
President Castro has urged President Barack Obama to lift it, calling it the main stumbling block towards normalisations. President Raul Castro has urged President Barack Obama to lift it, calling it the main stumbling block towards normalisations. But the US Congress would have to vote on the issue.
But the US Congress would have to vote on the issue. The two presidents announced the move towards diplomatic ties in December last year.