Obama's In Cuba — Here's What You Should Know
President Obama is in the midst of an historic visit to Cuba — a much-needed vacation from the current zoo that is domestic politics. The visit is being heralded as a diplomatic milestone, but what's really going on? Here's what you need to know.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER?
This Is The First Presidential Visit To Cuba Since 1928
Barack Obama descended on Cuba with a pomp unmatched by the Pope on Sunday, becoming the first American president to visit Cuba in nearly a century, and the first since a revolution led by Fidel Castro toppled a US-backed strongman in 1959.
He greeted the Cuban people through good ol' American technology: Twitter.
The Relationship Is Getting Tropical
The Visit Comes After A Significant Thaw In Relations Between The US And Cuba
[Obama and Raúl Castro] first shook hands at Nelson Mandela's funeral in December 2013. They stunned the world [in 2014] by announcing detente, and in July, the United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations after a 54-year break.
[Reuters]
Laughtrack Diplomacy
Obama Appeared On A Popular Cuban Comedy Show Before Arriving
[Variety]
IN THE SHADOW OF STATENESS
Upon Arrival, Obama Laid A Memorial Wreath With Giant Picture Of Che Guevara In The Background
Before his historic meeting with Cuban leader Raúl Castro on Monday, President Obama laid a wreath at a memorial to Cuban writer and independence fighter José Martí, who was killed in a battle with Spanish colonial authorities in 1895… in the background [was] Cuba's Ministry of the Interior, decorated with a giant outline drawing (which is actually rendered in steel) of the infamous revolutionary figure Che Guevara.
[Slate]
Frenemies?
Castro Asked The US To Close Guantanamo And End The Embargo, Obama Criticized Cuban Human Rights Abuses
During a joint speech Obama and Castro seemed to clash, with Castro calling for the US to end the trade embargo between the countries and to close Guantanamo. Obama highlighted America's differences with Cuba on democracy and human rights, which were on full display as Cuba's government arrested political dissidents ahead of Obama's visit.
DENY DENY DENY
Castro Was Caught Off Guard When A Journalist Asked About Cuba's Political Prisoners
Obama and Castro were not supposed to take questions, but a last minute change made that possible and Obama called first on CNN's Jim Acosta, who is Cuban-American. In Spanish, Acosta asked Castro why his country kept political prisoners. Clearly miffed, Castro asked Acosta to hand over a list of political prisoners. "If there are political prisoners, they will be released by nightfall," Castro said.
[NPR]
LOOK AT THE FLICK OF THAT WRIST
The Most Awkward Moment Of All Came After The Talking
Sometimes handshakes just don't work out the way they're supposed to.
[Digg]
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