Last December, President Barack Obama re-initiated diplomacy with Cuba. This began with Cuba being opened to tourism and trade.
Freshman Paul Walden said“I went on a mission trip to Cuba this spring with my church. It was a really positive experience and I would do it again.”
Cuba has had a massive boost to their economy since the lifting of sanctions. Obama and President Raul Castro met earlier in April, another step towards enhancing relations with Cuba. Also, Cuba was taken off of the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
An even greater step in what is called the diplomatic thaw is the reestablishment of embassies. After more than 50 years, the U.S. has decided to place an embassy in Havana, Cuba.
Accelerated World History teacher Mrs. Valerie Nimeskern said “Establishing embassies is always a significant move in smoothing over relations. Cuba and the U.S. have not had this level of negotiations since before the Cold War. I’ll be following this closely- it’s history in the making.”
Interestingly enough, the embassy is supposed to be built in the same spot where it was 54 years ago, before negotiations with Cuba were frozen.
Sophomore Nikhil Sekar said.“I think it is supposed to represent that Cuba and the U.S. still have a long way to go before everything can go back to what it was.”
Cuban officials have also said that there will be a Cuban embassy in Washington D.C., according to The New York Times.
This is not the only country the Obama administration has attempted to renew diplomatic relationships with including; Iran, Saudi Arabia and Myanmar. In 2014, Obama visited Myanmar, another militaristic communist regime. Myanmar is now also open to American tourism.