A few weeks ago, the United States took a historic step toward normalizing our diplomatic relations with Cuba, and for the first time in 54 years the Cuban flag was hoisted in front of the country’s embassy in Washington, D.C. This was, of course, much more than a symbolic gesture: it was a point of […]
U.S. and Cuba Agree to Reopen Embassies, Restore Full Diplomatic Relations
July 1, 2015 By
Washington D.C. and Havana, Cuba will each open the doors at two new embassies on July 20 after over a half-century of diplomatic isolation, President Obama announced in the Rose Garden on Wednesday. The move comes following a wave of dramatically warming relations between the two Cold War foes, marking the most palpable sign of progress […]
Republicans Aim to Block Embassy in Cuba
June 3, 2015 By
In an effort to block the Obama Administration’s rapprochement policy towards Cuba, Republicans in the House of Representatives on Tuesday proposed a bill funding the State Department for 2016 while blocking necessary funding for the establishment of a formal embassy and other diplomatic infrastructure projects that would lead to further ties with the Communist regime. […]
NY Gov. Cuomo heads trade mission to Cuba, becomes first sitting governor to visit
April 21, 2015 By
With a meeting between Presidents Barack Obama and Raúl Castro already in the books, the process of normalizing diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba took another step forward on Monday, as Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) landed in Havana to lead a business delegation that included top American executives with a potential business interest in […]
President Obama Removes Cuba From Terror List
April 15, 2015 By
President Barack Obama has signaled his administration’s intent to remove Cuba from the State Department’s list of State Sponsors of Terrorism in a letter to Congress, taking another step towards normalizing relations with the island nation only 90 miles south of the United States. Speaking at a press conference regarding his face to face discussion […]
As Cuba opens up, Cuban-Americans weigh in
April 2, 2015 By
The Obama Administration’s decision in December to normalize relations with Cuba initially sent shockwaves throughout both the U.S. and the Cuban-Americans who call the States their home, after a half-century hiatus from diplomatic relations. Speculation that the gamble would spur radical outrage has simmered in the face of sensibility, where a slight majority of Cuban-Americans, according to […]
Rep. Nancy Pelosi leads congressional delegation on diplomatic mission to Cuba
February 20, 2015 By
In an ongoing effort to normalize diplomatic relations with the long-estranged island nation, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and a coalition of congressional Democrats headed to Cuba yesterday to build on the strategies and initiatives introduced by President Obama in December. This marks the second trip since the Jimmy Carter administration in which a high-ranking […]
American Alan Gross Released from Cuban Prison After Five Years
December 17, 2014 By
After five years in a Cuban Prison, American Alan Gross was released today following a year of intense negotiations to bring Gross back to the United States. His imprisonment has been a considerable barrier for U.S. officials working to improve relations with Cuba but his release is expected to alleviate some of the tension and […]
Arturo Sandoval to Be Honored By President Obama
August 8, 2013 By
President Obama named sixteen people, including Grammy award-winning jazz musician Arturo Sandoval, for the Presidential Medal of Freedom today. Born in Cuba and later defecting to the U.S. in 1990, Sandoval is a well-known trumpeter, pianist and composer in both countries. As a protégé of the late Dizzy Gillespie, another famous jazz musician, Sandoval contributed […]
First Gay Latino Poet Selected as Inaugural Poet by President Obama
January 10, 2013 By
President Obama has selected Richard Blanco to serve as the Inaugural Poet for his swearing-in ceremony, making him the youngest poet, as well as the first Latino and gay poet to have the honor. Blanco, 44 years old and Cuban-American, was chosen to write an original poem for the January 21st Inauguration, which will be […]
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