Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday that the decision to reopen the U.S. embassy in Cuba and normalize relations marks a decision by both countries to stop being chained to the last 54 years that has been marked by distrust, limited economic engagement.
“We are gathered here today because our leaders, President Obama and President Castro made a courageous decision to stop being the prisoners of history, and to focus on the opportunities today and tomorrow,” Kerry said from the embassy that had been downgraded as a U.S. Interests Section for the last 54 years.
Kerry delivered some of his remarks in Spanish to the crowd, thanked the Swiss caretakers who managed the building for more than 50 years, applauded the former U.S. Marines who returned to raise the American flag again over the compound. The flag rose again over the newly designated embassy shortly after Kerry’s remarks ended Friday morning.
The Obama administration’s decision has been met with harsh criticism from Republicans and even some Democrats, who say the U.S. should have extracted more concessions from Cuba before allowing normalized relations again. But Kerry seemed to stress that the U.S. would not push for the sorts of changes these critics want, such as more tolerance for political dissidents and a more democratic government.
“Cuba’s future is for Cubans to shape,” Kerry said. He said the U.S. will always back democratic reforms, but said that expecting this historic step of re-engaging with the communist nation to have an immediate “transformational impact” is naïve.
The administration is hoping that more diplomatic engagement will bring about that change. Kerry said it’s helpful for Cubans and Americans to meet and interact, and said U.S. travel to Cuba has already increased by 35 percent since January.
The U.S. government is also excited that American businesses are interested in returning to or coming for the first time to Havana, he added. “After all, we are neighbors,” Kerry said about the two countries, emphasizing that normalized relations are the only way to work through neighborly differences.
Kerry reiterated that the trade embargo remains and can only be lifted by Congress, but he said that step is one the administration “strongly favors.” He said rules regulating remittances to and from the island will be eased, and said generally that he expects a more vigorous U.S. presence on the island now that the embassy is open.
“Hold on to your seat belts” he said to the embassy staff that worked on the transition about how busy things will be after Friday.
Kerry noted that he met with dissident Cubans before the ceremony and noted their importance in successfully moving relations forward.
“Time to unfurl our flags … and let the world know that we wish each other well,” Kerry said.
The three Marines who 54 years ago lowered Old Glory when President Dwight Eisenhower closed the embassy were on hand Friday to hand over the flag to active Marines, who raised it as the Star Spangled Banner played.
