U.S. President Barack Obama announced a major shift in U.S. relations with Cuba, after the country’s communist leaders released Alan Gross, an American who had been imprisoned there for five years.
In addition to the release of Gross, three Cubans were freed from a U.S. jail.
In explaining plans to begin normalizing relations with Cuba, Obama said, “Isolation has not worked. It’s time for a new approach.
“I believe this contact will do more to empower the Cuban people,” said the president, who had spoken with Cuban President Raul Castro on Tuesday.
Castro, who spoke to his nation at the same time Wednesday, said, “We have decided to re-establish diplomatic relations” with the U.S.
He said, “This decision by President Barack Obama deserves respect and recognition by our people,” but he also called for a complete end to the U.S. economic blockade.
Talks for Gross’ release lasted for about a year, with the Vatican playing a significant role, Senior Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said Wednesday. Both Obama and Castro thanked Pope Francis for the Vatican’s role in starting a dialogue between the two countries.
Source-Voa
