Ending half a century of animosity - US and Cuba to announce re-opening embassies in each other's capitals.
ADVERTISEMENTThe US and Cuba are expected to announce the opening of embassies in each other’s capitals today. (Wednesday July 1)
The move re-establishes diplomatic ties severed in 1961.
Last April President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro met for the first formal talks between the two countries’ leaders in more than half a century.
Relations had been frozen since Cuba’s revolution ushered in Fidel Castro’s Communist government.
After half a century of hostilities, US and Cuba have reached a deal to reopen embassies http://t.co/tTqpBq05egpic.twitter.com/nweak4qcx0
— AJE News (@AJENews) June 30, 2015
Both countries will now be able to upgrade their so-called interests sections in Havana and Washington into to full.blown embassies with ambassadors to be appointed later. The State Department must give Congress a 15-day notice before opening an embassy.
Secretary of State John Kerry is likely to travel to Havana during the week of July 20 for a flag-raising ceremony to reopen the American embassy.expected to tr
Despite the improvement in diplomatic relations there is still a Cuba travel ban in place for US citizens.
Cuba is also still subject to a US arms embargo which has been in place since 1962, though President Obama has called on Congress to lift it.