Whatever you think of Cuba or the recent thaw in US-Cuba relations, you have to admit that this is a pretty momentous day:
Diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba have been officially restored, with Cuba’s foreign minister taking the hugely symbolic step of raising his country’s flag at a newly designated embassy in Washington later on Monday.
Bruno Rodríguez, visiting the US capital for the first time in his life, conducted the ceremony at the mansion which has not functioned as an embassy for more than 50 years.
There hasn’t been a Cuban foreign minister in the US (apart from the UN) since 1958, and there hasn’t been a Cuban embassy in DC since January 3, 1961. The US Interests Section in Havana is also operating as an embassy, but won’t be formally redesignated as such until Kerry visits Havana in August. That will be the first time a US Secretary of State has visited Cuba in 70 years.
Hey, thanks for reading! If you come here often, and you like what I do, would you please consider contributing something (sorry, that page is a work in progress) to keeping this place running and me out of debtor’s prison? Thank you!
The Foreign Exchanges Companion 