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Cuba US: John Kerry to reopen Havana embassy on historic trip | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The US is preparing to reopen its embassy in Havana on Friday, more than 54 years after it was closed. | The US is preparing to reopen its embassy in Havana on Friday, more than 54 years after it was closed. |
US Secretary of State John Kerry will attend a ceremony in the Cuban capital that will signal the warming of ties between both countries. | US Secretary of State John Kerry will attend a ceremony in the Cuban capital that will signal the warming of ties between both countries. |
Cuba reopened its embassy in Washington last month. | Cuba reopened its embassy in Washington last month. |
Earlier, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro wrote an open letter in which he said the US owed Cuba millions of dollars because of its trade embargo. | Earlier, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro wrote an open letter in which he said the US owed Cuba millions of dollars because of its trade embargo. |
The embargo, imposed 53 years ago, has yet to be lifted. Mr Castro's letter makes no mention of the reopening of the US embassy. | The embargo, imposed 53 years ago, has yet to be lifted. Mr Castro's letter makes no mention of the reopening of the US embassy. |
When he landed in Havana on Friday morning, Mr Kerry became the first US Secretary of State to visit Cuba in 70 years. | |
Historic visit | Historic visit |
Three marines who lowered the American flag for the last time on 4 January 1961 will raise it again during Friday's ceremony in Havana. | Three marines who lowered the American flag for the last time on 4 January 1961 will raise it again during Friday's ceremony in Havana. |
They are now retired and in their late 70s. | They are now retired and in their late 70s. |
"I'm gonna love seeing that flag go back up," said former marine Jim Tracy, 78, in a US State Department video. | "I'm gonna love seeing that flag go back up," said former marine Jim Tracy, 78, in a US State Department video. |
At the scene - Will Grant, BBC Cuba correspondent, Havana | |
It is a typical hot summer's morning in Havana - humid and sticky. But it's a warmth which perhaps befits the moment in which Cuba and the United States finally put almost six decades of Cold War hostility behind them. | |
And the sea breeze off the Malecon, Havana's seafront promenade, is refreshing the dignitaries that have gathered on the front lawn for this historic reopening ceremony. | |
If a lot of the diplomats present thought they'd never see this day, millions of ordinary Cubans certainly never thought they would. Crowds have started to build up around the perimeter fence - some carrying Cuban flags, others the Stars and Stripes. | |
But the flag that really matters today, the one going up the flagpole at the embassy, will be raised by the same three marines who brought it down in 1961. | |
Cuban leader Raul Castro and US President Barack Obama agreed to restore ties in December last year. | Cuban leader Raul Castro and US President Barack Obama agreed to restore ties in December last year. |
While trade and travel restrictions have been relaxed, the Republican-led US Congress has not lifted the trade embargo the US imposed on the communist-run island in 1960. | While trade and travel restrictions have been relaxed, the Republican-led US Congress has not lifted the trade embargo the US imposed on the communist-run island in 1960. |
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. |
It says relations will be fully restored only once it is lifted. | It says relations will be fully restored only once it is lifted. |
Fidel Castro's letter was published in state newspaper Granma to mark his 89th birthday. | Fidel Castro's letter was published in state newspaper Granma to mark his 89th birthday. |
Fidel Castro: Cuba's revolutionary leader | Fidel Castro: Cuba's revolutionary leader |
How did Fidel Castro keep a grip on power for so long? | How did Fidel Castro keep a grip on power for so long? |
In it, Mr Castro said Cuba was committed to "good will and peace in our hemisphere" but added: "We will never stop fighting for the peace and welfare of all human beings, regardless of the colour of their skin and which country they come from." | In it, Mr Castro said Cuba was committed to "good will and peace in our hemisphere" but added: "We will never stop fighting for the peace and welfare of all human beings, regardless of the colour of their skin and which country they come from." |
Fidel Castro led his country from the Cuban Revolution, in 1959, until 2006, when he stood down because of undisclosed health problems. | Fidel Castro led his country from the Cuban Revolution, in 1959, until 2006, when he stood down because of undisclosed health problems. |
He passed on power to his younger brother, Raul, who embarked on a number of economic reforms. | He passed on power to his younger brother, Raul, who embarked on a number of economic reforms. |