Cuban President Raul Castro, while standing next to President Obama during his historic visit to the island nation, delivered a lecture to the United States on its “double standard” on human rights and ticked off several other demands to fully normalize relations.
During several moments of awkward tension while he shared the stage with Obama, Castro highlighted America’s “political manipulation and double standards” with respect to human rights and lack of universal healthcare.
In response to a question from CNN’s Jim Acosta on why his regime imprisons dissidents, Castro appeared to deny that his country has done so.
“What political prisoners?” he asked. “Give me a name or names. After this meeting is over…and they will be released before tonight ends.”
Later, he summed up the “profound differences” between the two countries’ systems of government.
“There are profound differences between our countries that will not go away,” Castro said. “…We should learn the art of coexisting with our differences in a civilized manner.”
Obama, at one point taking exception to Castro speaking to an aide while he was trying to answer a question from the press, declared it a “new day” between the U.S. and Cuba, trying to focus on the positive.
“We were moved by the Cubans who received us yesterday smiling and waving when we drove in from the airport,” he said, noting that 40 members of Congress are traveling with him as part of the U.S. delegation, a sign of the “excitement and interest in American” about the new business opportunities in Cuba.
But he acknowledged the obvious differences on “democracy and human rights” and said the future of Cuba will be decided by Cubans, not anybody else.
Acknowledging Castro’s criticism of the U.S. human rights record, Obama said he welcomed the “constructive dialogue.”
“When we share our deepest beliefs and ideas with an attitude of mutual respect, then we can both learn and make the lives of our people better,” Obama said.
Both Obama and Castro cited some positive aspects of the new diplomatic thaw, noting the restoration of postal service and commercial travel between the two countries, as well as new environmental, counter-narcotics and healthcare agreements.
But Castro also issued a laundry list of implausible demands, including lifting the trade embargo entirely and the return of the “illegally occupied” Guantanamo Bay.
“The blockade stands as the most important obstacle to the economic development and the well-being of the Cuban people,” he said.
Before the meeting, Obama and Raul stood before a line of military personnel in dress uniforms presenting arms. The pair listened as Cuba’s military band played both national anthems.
The U.S. delegation who attended the meeting with Castro included Secretary of State John Kerry, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker.
In the morning, Obama laid a wreath on the memorial of Jose Marti, a Cuban national hero who was instrumental, through his writings and activism in helping Cuba gain independence from Spain.
Later Monday, he is set to participate in an event focused on “entrepreneurships and opportunity” for the Cuban people, according to a White House schedule. First lady Michelle Obama will join him for a state dinner at the palace.
Obama is scheduled to deliver a major address to the Cuban people Tuesday morning before meeting with a group of dissidents and attending a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban national team.
