The United States will restore diplomatic relations it severed with Cuba more than 50 years ago, a major policy shift ending decades of hostile ties with the communist-ruled island, President Barack Obama said on Wednesday.
Announcing the end of what he called a "rigid" policy of isolation of Cuba that had been ineffective, Obama said the United States would move toward normal ties and would open an embassy in Cuba.
Obama discussed the changes with Cuban President Raul Castro on Tuesday in a nearly hour-long telephone call. Castro spoke in Cuba as Obama made his announcement on a policy shift made possible by the release of American Alan Gross, 65, who had been imprisoned in Cuba for five years.
At the end of this article the reporter writes this:
Obama will likely face resistance on this.
Gee, ya think?
Republicans are going to lose their freaking minds over this. Especially since he is doing it on his own, and without working with Congress.
In fact Hillary's 2016 opposition has already expressed his displeasure.
Here is a timeline of US relations with Cuba just to give you an idea as to how big of a deal this will be.
Update: Oh yeah Marco Rubio is throwing quite the hissy fit over this:
"This entire policy shift announced today is based on an illusion, based on a lie,” Rubio, who is the son of Cuban immigrants, told reporters on Capitol Hill.
"The White House has conceded everything and gained little." "I’m committed to doing everything I can to unravel as many of these changes as possible," he added.
"This Congress is not going to lift the embargo," Rubio declared at the end of his news conference.
You know I think Rubio is just pissed that Obama undermined his base with this decision, and is making all of the Republicans look like obstructionists on ending an embargo that has gone on for far too long.
I think he just needs to take a drink of water and calm down.
Better?
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