WASHINGTON: Cuba has reopened its embassy in Washington on Monday for the first time in 54 years as the United States.
US and Cuba formally restored relations, opening a new chapter of engagement between the former Cold War foes.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez presided over the reinauguration of the embassy, a milestone in the diplomatic thaw that began with an announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro on Dec. 17.
The U.S. Embassy in Havana, the Cuban capital, was also officially reopened Monday. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Havana in August to attend a flag-raising ceremony at the U.S. Embassy there.
“Beginning today, our diplomats in Havana will have the ability to engage more broadly across the island of Cuba, with the Cuban government, civil society and ordinary Cubans,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement.
On July 1, U.S. President Barack Obama announced that Washington and Havana had agreed to formally re-establish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies, in what he called “a historic step in our efforts to normalize relations with the Cuban government and people.”
