News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C, Weds. July 1, 2015: The U.S. and Cuba have reached an agreement to open embassies in Havana.
President Obama is set to make the historic announcement in the Rose Garden at 11 a.m. today in Washington. The agreement could also see a Cuba embassy in Washington.
The U.S. and Cuba have been negotiating the reestablishment of embassies in each other’s capitals following the Dec. 17, 2014 White House announcement that they would move to restore ties.
Since the late 1970s, the United States and Cuba have operated diplomatic missions called interests sections in each other’s capitals. The missions are technically under the protection of Switzerland, and do not enjoy the same status as full embassies.
The embassy openings will be major milestone in the thaw between the U.S. and Cuba relations even though issues such as human rights; demands for compensation for confiscated American properties in Havana and U.S. fugitives sheltering in Havana remain issues still unresolved.
