Cuba US: John Kerry reopens Havana embassy on historic trip

cuba us flag

The US has reopened its embassy in Cuba more than 54 years after it was closed, in a symbolic step signalling the warming of ties between both countries.

John Kerry, the first US Secretary of State to visit Cuba in 70 years, presided over the ceremony in Havana.

The US flag was presented by the same US marines who brought it down in 1961.

Cuba reopened its embassy in Washington last month. But issues remain, with Cuban leader Fidel Castro blasting the US for not lifting its trade embargo.

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9 Comments

  1. ATKINSON
    August 15, 2015

    Thanks to the embargo and the CIA, If not that one party red marxist leninist stated would never try to see the light. They would be exporting marxism all over the caribbean

  2. The Real Facts
    August 14, 2015

    My dear mother had a wise saying, among a few: “Patience and time you will see a lot happen.” Indeed! One way or the other.
    History is made once again. Eventually, some good will come out of it also for the Cubans.
    I would love to see all nations at peace with one another, including all nationals of the world. What a happy, peaceful and safe world it would be where everyone would live in harmony. Am I referring to Heaven? :lol:
    God meant for us to live in harmony and peace. Sadly, some spoiled it for others as they spoiled some parts of the world. In time, God will change all things to perfection.
    So for the Cubans, take heart, your day is here with more to come:

    Peace is flowing like a river
    Flowing out for you and me
    Flowing out into the dessert
    Setting all the captives free.

    Let it flow, flow, flow,
    Let it flow, flow, flow,
    Let the peace of Jesus Christ flow through you and me. . . .

    • August 18, 2015

      Peace with our fellow man is only restored when we acknowledge the wrongs we did in the past that caused us to lose the peace we had and we remove the things that damaged the relationship.

      This is true between individuals. It is also the case between nations. The reason old hurts continue, and divisions remain, is because human nature finds it easier to blame the other person (or others). Self examination is painful. Admitting blame is humiliating. Initiating reconciliation is sometimes difficult.

      It is easier when we can say we thought we were doing the right thing (things) in the past. But we realize now we were wrong. “Sorry” is a word my mother taught me. It is seldom heard among nations. But it would work wonders towards bringing lasting change for the better.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

      • August 18, 2015

        Because of Christ there will eventually be peace on earth between individuals and nations.

        But even now we can individually have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ according to Romans 5:1.

        This is because when Christ was on the cross God “laid on him the iniquity of us all” according to Isaiah 53:6.

        By His death at Calvary He met the demands of God’s law for our sins. Divine justice has been satisfied! Now we are called to be reconciled to God. We must stop rebelling! Confess (to God) that we have sinned, and believe that Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for our sins. On the cross Jesus cried with a loud voice

        “IT IS FINISHED.” (John 1:30)

        Then He bowed His head and died.

        Those three English words are translated from one single Greek word in our New Testament which means literally means “paid” or “the debt is discharged.” It is paid for you. It is paid for me. That is why salvation is free. It is a gift. You only need to RECEIVE it by RECEIVING…

    • August 18, 2015

      This is an incredibly beautiful little song. So simple! So true!

      Our sins had made us God’s enemies. But by Christ’s death on the cross we can have peace with God. See it for yourself in Romans 5:6-10.

      This peace is flowing out to us. All we have to do is stop rebelling and be reconciled to God according to 2 Corinthian 5:20 by believing the gospel as it is set forth and in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and claim the promise of Romans 1:16. By doing this you are receiving Christ as your Savior as it says we are to do in John 1:11,12, and Revelation 3:20.

      Let the peace of Jesus Christ flow :!:

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  3. concern citizen
    August 14, 2015

    This is a step in the right direction for Cuba, America and their citizens. Well done; Obama for making this happen.

    • Couldn\’t agree more. Well done President Obama and President Castro. Great Day for both countries, their citizens and the world at large. It is easy to see why the Secretary of State would be emotional. I keep liking John Kerry. The first time the world really saw Obama was when he was the featured speaker on John Kerry\’s stage as the Democratic Presidential Candidate.

      Obama was very impressive that day and everyone wondered about his future . Unfortunately, John Kerry did not win the elections. However, years later, Obama is the President of America and John Kerry is his Secretary of State. Today, John Kerry is the man of the hour in this important time of world history in the US/Cuba relationship.

      Yes, proud moment for Secretary of State John Kerry and I can imagine the emotions that goes with it. Fantastic.

    • The Real Facts
      August 14, 2015

      It is not only Obama. Did you not read the original writing and other world news?
      I wonder how much of a part Obama played in this. If he did, it was only after the fact.
      We do know that Fidel is not a lover of the US and any President, not excluding Obama.

    • August 16, 2015

      It should be remembered that it was Cuba who froze the US out at the time of the revolution those many years ago, not the other way around.

      It was the US that initiated this reconciliation, and the reopening of its embassy.

      Has Cuba apologized for its human rights violations? Has it even ended its human rights violations? Has Cuba restored the freedoms to its own people that were withdrawn because of the revolution?

      We have friends in Canada who built a home in Cuba where they lived for years in peace and quiet helping others while they did missionary work. Under the communist government they were forced to
      leave everything they owned behind, even the rings on their fingers, and flee Cuba. Years later they were allowed to visit the country for a few days. They found the beautiful home they had built for themselves had been not only trashed but leveled to the ground. One wonders if Cuba will now compensate them. I am kidding of course.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill…

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