Cubans Gather at US Embassy in Havana Awaiting Flag-Raising Ceremony

Crowds of Cubans have gathered in the vicinity of the US embassy in Havana excited about the opportunity to see the historic flag-raising ceremony after the two countries reestablished diplomatic relations, Sputnik correspondent reported on Friday.

HAVANA (Sputnik) — People have started to arrive at the scene early in the morning, with hundreds of journalists setting their equipment to cover the event. Guests of the ceremony and the countries’ officials have also started to gather at the embassy.

The flag-raising ceremony will start at around 9.45 a.m. local time with a welcome address by US charge d'affaires in Havana Jeffrey DeLaurentis, according to the US State Department.

After that inaugural poet Richard Blanco will recite a poem "Matters of the Sea."

Cuban national anthem will follow the recitation in anticipation of remarks by US Secretary of State John Kerry and raising of the US flag.