US President Barack Obama, said today in Havana that he is convinced that the economic embargo that his country maintains on Cuba for over half a century "will end," although he did not venture when.
In an appearance at the Palace of Revolution with his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, Obama said that about 40 lawmakers, including several Republicans, accompanying him on this trip to Cuba is a sign that there is growing pressure within the US Congress to end the embargo. He also stated that "Cuba's fate should not be decided by the US or any other country", but warned that his country will maintain its claim to the right of the Cuban people to decide their fate.
"The future of Cuba must decide what the Cubans and no one else," Obama said in a statement to the press after a meeting of more than two hours with his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro.
According to Obama, the embargo in force for over 50 years "has not served the interests" of the United States nor those of the Cuban people.
The president recalled that he has issued several executive orders to ease restrictions of the embargo but its complete elimination depends on the US Congress, whose two chambers currently control Republicans.
He also said his government continues its assessment of some "technical aspects" of the embargo to determine whether it is possible to make it more flexible more.
"What we did for fifty years he did not serve neither our interests nor the Cubans. If we keep doing something repeatedly that did not work, it makes sense to try something new, "said Obama.
In an interview with CNN in Spanish before his trip to Cuba, Obama anticipated that the embargo against Cuba be removed during the presidency of his successor, whether a Democrat or a Republican.
"We do not see Cuba as a threat to the United States," said Obama also at a time of appearance with Castro after the long meeting held both at the Palace of the Revolution
For his part, President of Cuba, Raul Castro stressed the readiness of his government to advance the normalization of relations with the US in a statement with his counterpart in that country, Barack Obama, in which he insisted that the blockade it remains the main obstacle to the development of their country.
"I confirm that we must practice the art of civilized coexistence, which implies respect and accept our differences and not make them the center of our relationship," said Raul Castro.
He recalled that in the fifteen months since the announcement of the restoration of relations, both countries have made progress in concrete results as restoring direct postal service or regular direct flights next fall, among other things.
"Much more could be done if the US blockade was lifted," said the Cuban president who nevertheless acknowledged the willingness of President Obama and his repeated calls to Congress to end these measures are put.
He described as "positive" the latest measures from Washington to alleviate the effects of the embargo, but "not enough".
"The blockade remains in force and has a dissuasive components and intimidating effects of extraterritorial reach," said Raul Castro, who in his meeting with Obama gave examples to show the "negative consequences" for Cuba with these measures.
Raul Castro also did not forget reclaim the lands of the Guantanamo Naval Base, which along embargo, he said, are the main obstacles to have full bilateral relations.
In parallel, the president of Cuba, Raul Castro, today challenged a journalist to present a list of political prisoners on the island and assured him that, if they really exist, will be free tonight.
"Give me the list of political prisoners to release them now," said Raul Castro to answer a question on the matter in the press conference he gave in Havana with President Barack Obama.