Obama Meets With Castro: Promoting New Relations And Opportunities.

Obama Meets With Cuban President Raul Castro

Autumn Barr

Promoting opportunity for the Cuban people was a main focus at a meeting last week between Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro of Cuba, the first in 50 years.

There is a majority support for a new relations policy in the U.S. and Cuba, and for Cuba to be removed from the government’s list of state sponsors of terrorism. This is something Cubans have been expecting for a while now and can lead too much needed changes in the country.

“Our governments’ will continue to have our differences. And the us will continue to stand firmly for universal rights and human rights” President Obama announced at a press conference in Panama City, Panama “at the same time we can agree to take steps forward that advance our mutual interests continue to work toward reestablishing diplomatic relations, reopening embassies in Havana and Washington, and encouraging greater commerce, contacts and exchanges between our citizens.”

For years Cuba has been trying to have their name removed from the state sponsors of terrorism list, claiming their placement on the list is unfair and outdated. For years the country has been signing documents and agreeing to not support any acts of terrorism in the future, to prove to the U.S. the improvement in diplomatic relations. Cuba was placed on the terrorism list in 1982 when Havana was supporting the revolutions in Latin America, during the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Circumstances have changed since 1982, when Cuba was originally designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism because of its efforts to promote armed revolution by forces in Latin America,” Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement on the President’s decision. “Our Hemisphere, and the world, look very different today than they did 33 years ago,” Kerry added.

Last November Obama attempted to facilitate normal relations with Cuba, but the terrorism list created concerns for Cuba. With this new proposal and support from both countries Congress has 45 days to vote and have their decision made.