Obama arrives in Cuba for historic three-day trip
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Air Force One the US presidential jet landed at Havana’s main airport on Sunday at the start of a historic visit by an American leader.
President Barack Obama tweeted on his arrival “Looking forward to meeting and hearing directly from the Cuban people,”
The three day trip is the first by a US president in 88 years. Its the cumulation of a diplomatic opening announced by Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro in December 2014, ending decades of estrangement.
Major differences remain,notably the 54-year-old economic embargo of Cuba. Obama has asked Congress to rescind it, but the move has been blocked by the Republican leadership.
President Obama and his family touch down in Cuba https://t.co/8Hw6S8ztizpic.twitter.com/PsCmjxYJbb
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 20, 2016
Traveling with first lade Michelle Obama, her mother and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, the president is to visit the newly opened IS Embassy and then play tourist on his first night on the Caribbean island, taking in the sights of Old Havana.
Obama is later due to meet President Raul Castro for discussions on trade and political reform but he is not due to meet with the Cuban president’s brother, the retired revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.