US Poll Shows Broad Public Support for Cuba Ties

The Obama Administration pledged continued US support for democracy and human rights in Cuba as the two countries are poised to restore long-severed diplomatic ties.

Roberta Jacobson, US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs told a Senate panel on Tuesday that she planned more talks with Cuban officials sometime later this month, the Associated Press reports from Washington.

The longtime foes intend to open new embassies by the time the next Summit of the Americas kicks off in Panama in April.

A recent Associated Press-GfK poll revealed broad support in the United States for closer ties with Havana with a hefty 45 percent of those surveyed supporting the re-establishment of full diplomatic ties between the longtime foes and a mere 15 percent opposing. 60 percent voted to end the half-century US economic embargo, with 35 percent saying it should stay.

Roberta Jacobson traveled to Havana last month to become the highest-ranking US official to visit then island in the past 30-plus years. Meeting with her Cuban counterparts she discussed the reopening of embassies in Havana and Washington and normalization of ties.

On Capitol Hill support for the Administration’s drive to mend fences with Havana mainly comes from the Democrats, but there is considerable pro-rapprochement sentiment also among the majority Republicans.

This month’s talks are scheduled to be held in Washington.