The United States intends to open an official embassy in Cuba in the coming months, the White House announced Wednesday, part of a broader normalizing of diplomatic relations after the countries exchanged prisoners.
In a conference call with reporters, a senior administration official called the developments "the most significant changes to our Cuba policy in more than 50 years."
"What we are doing is beginning the normalization of relations of the United States and Cuba," the official said. "President Obama has long believed that engagement is a better tool than isolation and nowhere is that clear than in Cuba, where we have seen a policy of isolation fail for the last 50 years."Easing of travel and banking restrictions (not to mention the import of Cuban cigars) are expected to follow normalization. The U.S. broke off diplomatic relations and instituted a trade embargo on Cuba more than 55 years ago. The trade embargo, which is in law, would have to be repealed by the Congress.
As one would expect, Cuban American "patriots" like Republican and Batista legatee Sen. Marco "Glug Glug" Rubio are already denouncing the warming. (We expect Cuban American via Calgary, Canada, Sen. "Tailgunner Ted" Cruz to have a similarly caliente reaction as soon as he can find a microphone and cameras.)
Bravo to all concerned for breaking this nonsensical deadlock that hasn't done one thing to advance freedom or economic well-being in Cuba for more than half a century.
BONUS: Here's the Pope's statement about the normalization:
"The Holy Father wishes to express his warm congratulations for the historic decision taken by the Governments of the United States of America and Cuba to establish diplomatic relations, with the aim of overcoming, in the interest of the citizens of both countries, the difficulties which have marked their history."BONUS II: And happy birthday to Pope Francis, who is 78 today. Everybody tango!
