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| Cuba US: John Kerry reopens Havana embassy on historic trip | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The US has reopened its embassy in Cuba more than 54 years after it was closed, in a symbolic step signalling the warming of ties between both countries. | |
| John Kerry, the first US Secretary of State to visit Cuba in 70 years, presided over the ceremony in Havana. | |
| The US flag was raised by the same US marines who brought it down in 1961. | |
| Cuba reopened its embassy in Washington last month. But issues remain, with Cuban leader Fidel Castro blasting the US for not lifting its trade embargo. | |
| In an open letter on Thursday, Mr Castro said the US owed Cuba millions of dollars because of its 53-year-long embargo. The letter makes no mention of the reopening of the US embassy. | |
| Historic visit | Historic visit |
| Three marines who lowered the American flag for the last time on 4 January 1961 raised it again during Friday's historic ceremony in Havana. 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 released ahead of the ceremony. | |
| At the scene - Will Grant, BBC Cuba correspondent, Havana | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |