PRESIDENT Barack Obama became the first sitting US president since 1928 to visit Cuba when he landed on the island nation for a three-day visit on Sunday, March 20.
“This is a historic visit, and it’s a historic opportunity to engage with the Cuban people,” Obama said, according to the Associated Press (AP).
On Monday, March 21, in an unexpected moment, Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro held a joint press conference, a rarity in a country where media is subject to stringent state control.
The United States severed diplomatic ties with Cuba in 1961 and imposed a trade embargo after the country’s former president, Fidel Castro, led a revolution that incited fears of communism spreading to the Western Hemisphere. In December 2014, Obama announced the US would work toward normalizing relations with Cuba.
During their session with reporters, both leaders agreed that the 54-year economic embargo needs to end.
“That is essential, because the blockade remains in place, and it contains discouraging elements,” Castro said, according to Al Jazeera. He also called steps made by the Obama administration “positive but insufficient.”
Obama said the embargo would end, although he isn’t sure when, Al Jazeera reported, also noting it is up to Congress to finish it.
Sharp differences on human rights and democracy emerged from the press conference. In response to one reporter who asked about the Cuban government’s human rights record, including the imprisonment of protestors and dissidents, Castro said: “Did you ask if we have political prisoners? Give me a list of the political prisoners and I will release them directly. Give me a name or names … It is not correct to ask me about political prisoners in general.”
CNN, however, reported that while Obama was on his way to Havana, many anti-Castro dissidents from the group Ladies in White were arrested and detained following their weekly demonstration in the country’s capital.
Cubans said they were surprised to see Castro answer questions from media live on state television.
“It’s very significant to hear this from our president, for him to recognize that not all human rights are respected in Cuba,” said Raul Rios, a 47-year-old driver, according to Al Jazeera.
Obama also gave credit to Cuba for its progress and said part of normalizing relations with the country means both parties would directly discuss their differences.
“The future of Cuba will be decided by Cubans – not by anybody else,” Obama said, according to Al Jazeera. “At the same time, as we do wherever we go around the world, I made it clear the US will continue to speak up about democracy, including the right of the Cuban people to decide their own future.”
While Obama was in Cuba on Monday, Cruise giant Carnival Corp won approval for Cuba sailings, which are set to begin in May. Priceline unit Booking.com also became the first US online travel agency to strike a deal for Americans traveling to Cuba, making hotel rooms in the country available to US customers, Reuters reported.
During the president’s visit, he and his family first stopped in Havana, after which they toured Old Havana on foot. In the city, he paid tribute to Cuban independence hero Jose Marti, by adjusting a wreath at the foot of his statue, AP reported.
“It is a great honor to pay tribute to Jose Marti, who gave his life for independence of his homeland,” Obama wrote in the guestbook, according to the AP. “His passion for liberty, freedom, and self-determination lives on in the Cuban people today.”
Obama also visited the US embassy in Havana, which was re-opened in August 2015.
“Having a US Embassy means we’re more effectively able to advance our values, our interests and understand more effectively the Cuban people’s concerns,” he said, according to USA Today.
In an interview with ABC News taped Sunday evening, March 20, Obama said: “Change is going to happen here and I think that Raul Castro understands that.” (Agnes Constante / AJPress)
