Obama Announces Renewed Diplomatic Ties With Cuba President calls for Congress to lift embargo, says U.S. will continue to raise human-rights concerns
WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama formally announced that the U.S. is renewing diplomatic relations with Cuba and called on Congress to lift the long-standing embargo, setting in motion what is likely to be a longer and more uncertain battle on Capitol Hill to dismantle laws keeping the trade and travel bans in place.
With embassies re-established as of July 20, the U.S. and Cuba will work to expand bilateral cooperation and talks, including those that already have begun on telecommunications and human rights.