New era begins as Cuba raises flag at embassy in U.S.

This is only a common sense move and the quickest way for the demise of so-called Communism in Cuba! Not everything Castro did was bad. Kicking out the American Mob being one of them!

this could have easliy been done 40 years ago except for some 'entrenched' interests ...

Long overdue.

I wouldn't go back to 40 years ago, but 20 I would. The collapse of the Soviet Union could have been the beginning of discussions with Castro who is/was a brutal dictator.

It's going to be amazing to see Americans in Cuba and Cubans in America.

@SuperLib, there are plenty of Cubans in America and have been for decades.

Thanks, Dirk.

Some U.S. lawmakers, including several prominent Republican presidential candidates, have vowed not to repeal the embargo and have pledged to roll back Obama’s moves on Cuba.

Of course they would. A large faction in the GOP longs for the simplistic dualism of the Cold War and can't seem to wrap their heads around the facts that (a) it was never as simplistic as they imagine (e.g. Reagan negotiating with Gorbachev) and (b) those long-gone days have been replaced by a very complex system of multilateralism.

I despise Obama, but this is one of the few sensible things he has done.

At last...

“I emphasized that the total lifting of the blockade, the return of illegally occupied territory of Guantanamo as well as full respect for Cuban sovereignty and compensation to our people for human and economic damages are crucial to be able to move toward the normalization of relations,” Rodriguez said as Kerry stood beside him.

It looks like Obama and Kerry have finally found a way to close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp and release the terrorists being held there.

As far as I know, when the U.S. and Cuba signed the Cuban–American Treaty of 1903, Cuba agreed to lease the land for its use as a U.S. naval base, and the U.S. agreed to pay for the lease of that land for as long as the naval base was required.

actually this does nothing for the USA, except allow for cuban cigars to come in legally

the country is still totalitarian, nothing changed.

so not a Deal , not an Agreement. you might say it just makes sense- but to who? i guess to the castro's and their cronies and to Obama's friends who want contracts. but not much else.

A Republican victory next year could undo everything in 2017. But, in the meantime commonsense has prevailed. Increased trade with the USA should improve the economy and the standard of living in Cuba though I believe that some things in Cuba are superior such as free access to medical facilities for everyone.

Great News! Iran will be next ;-)

More Cuban baseball players! I bet in a couple of years will see Cuban (American) football and basketball players.

actually this does nothing for the USA, except allow for cuban cigars to come in legally

the country is still totalitarian, nothing changed.

so not a Deal , not an Agreement. you might say it just makes sense- but to who? i guess to the castro's and their cronies and to Obama's friends who want contracts. but not much else.

Fugitives like: Lois Armando Pena Soltren, Joanne Chesimard, Victor Manuel Gerena, Robert Vesco and guess what, not a word mentioned, eluding justice, Obama doesn't care about the carnage they did to destroy families and in the end Cuba gets everything and they don't need to make any consessions. But as you said, for Obama and his minions, it's a great photo opportunity.

Another 476 more days and thankfully we don't have to deal with this lunatic anymore. That's the plus in all of this.

@CrazyJoe"the quickest way for the demise of so-called Communism".

Hardly Cubans would allow the USA to teach them what-to-do, pushing noses into Cuban domestic affairs.

and they don't need to make any concessions

The embargo failed. After 5 decades I think even you would have to admit that.

The embargo failed. After 5 decades I think even you would have to admit that.

Thats the whole point... the US should have just swamped Cuba with coca cola, baseball and take away food years ago... Cuba would have happily rolled over and become the 52nd state instead of everyone having to go through the 'ideology' pantomime of the last 40 years...

@nostromo

Where was the 51st state? ; )

The Cubans are asking for Gitmo back (Guantanamo Bay, Cuba). Will obama be shady and just sign it over without running by congress? Probably.

Why would we ever give Gitmo back? Is this the new manufactured fear the GOP is selling?

@SuperLib. . . No, they're not trying to sell that. Comments are slow tonight. And Gitmo just popped out my head so I thought I'd throw it out just now.

MLB will be able to recruit youngsters from Cuba directly. they have English training classes for Larino players. Unlike players recruited from Japan. they talk w/o interpreter.

Obama finally did something right in my opinion.

@praack

So how do you feel about China? (since you seem to view Cuba as such an evil country).

praack - actually this does nothing for the USA, except allow for cuban cigars to come in legally

The U.S.A. doesn't even gain the benefit of Cuban cigars. Cuban tobacco plants have been grown for decades in many countries with similar soil and climate. I understand that Cuba gains a lot in this deal, but I have no idea benefits the U.S.A. receives?

I understand that Cuba gains a lot in this deal, but I have no idea benefits the U.S.A. receives?

It gains the benefit of doing the right thing.