By Lyndsey Kelly
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

HAVANA, Cuba – Recently, Roberta Jacobson, the top U.S. diplomat for Latin America traveled to Havana, Cuba for two days of talks with Cuban officials regarding the restoration of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. It was the highest-level trip to Cuba by a United States official in 35 years. The talks come after a 17 December announcement that Cuban President, Raul Castro, and US President, Barack Obama, will be moving towards restoring full diplomatic relations between their respective countries. The countries have agreed that the first step in renewing these relations is the reopening of embassies in both the United States and Cuba.

Castro has laid out his long-term objectives for the compromise, which include the United States returning the Guantanamo naval base and prison, lifting the embargo, and compensating for damages. Cuba’s most pressing demand is an end to banking restrictions, which is linked to its U.S. designation as a “state sponsor of terrorism.” The United States is working toward diplomatic relations but government officials state that if these problems are not resolved then the restoration of diplomatic relations will not make any sense.

The Cuban government has stated that it has no intention of changing its system. The United Sates State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Castro’s remarks. However, the Obama administration has stated that it will not consider handing over the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, which was a central demand of Castro. On the other hand, it is likely that the U.S. government will concede to lifting Cuba from the list designating it as a sponsor to terrorism in the coming months.

While the United States is likely to make some concessions in order to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba, many of Castro’s demands are highly unlikely which may ultimately hinder the two countries hope for future diplomatic relations.

 

For more information, please see the following

BOSTON GLOBE – US Won’t Return Guantanamo To Improve Ties With Cuba – 5 Feb. 2015.

THE GUARDIAN –Raul Castro Demands That US Return Guantanamo Base To Cuba – 28 Jan. 2015.

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS – U.S. Rules Out Returning Guantanamo Bay To Improve Ties With Cuba – 5 Feb. 2015.

THE TELEGRAPH – Raul Castro: US Must Return Guantanamo To Cuba – 28 Jan. 2015.