Classic old car on streets of Havana, Cuba
Classic old car on streets of Havana, Cuba

President Barack Obama recently announced that the United States and Cuba will soon reopen embassies in each other’s countries. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Cuba later this summer to take part in re-establishing the embassy there. While diplomatic relations are set to be re-established on July 20, there is not a firm date set for either country’s opening ceremony or Kerry’s travel.
The new embassies will also provide a new way to obtain visas or passports. The embassies will replace the current arrangement where consular services are provided by the U.S. and Cuban Interests Sections of the Swiss embassies in Havana and Washington, respectively.
The president’s announcement came roughly six months after announcing in December that the U.S. will begin normalizing diplomatic relations with the island. This is a historic step for the two countries, mending relations 54 years after diplomatic ties were cut with Cuba in the midst of the Cold War.
The move is not expected to have an immediate impact on the trade embargo, beyond the restrictions already eased in January.
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