MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The United States and Cuba officially reestablished diplomatic ties on Monday by reopening embassies in the countries’ capitals following 54 years of hostility.
The United States imposed an embargo on Cuba in 1961 during the Cold War, because of antagonism between Washington and the communist government in Havana, which was friendly with the former Soviet Union.
In December 2014, US President Barack Obama announced a policy to improve bilateral relations with Cuba, including easing travel and trade restrictions.
Cuba's President Raul Castro gestures to journalists that he is not taking questions as he and US President Barack Obama hold a bilateral meeting during the Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Panama
© REUTERS / Jonathan Ernst
