Cuban President Raúl Castro and President Barack Obama of the United States
The seventh Summit of the Americas conference was held this past weekend in Panama City, Panama. Leaders and foreign dignitaries from Latin America, North America, the Caribbean, and Central America were in attendance. The 2015 Summit of the Americas was the first allow Cuba to participate and attend the conference. According to NPR, Pope Francis played a significant part in deliberations to extend an invitation to Cuba.
In conferences past, President Obama’s attempts to discuss particular policy issues were met with resistance as many countries felt strongly that Cuba should be included as members of the region. Cuba’s participation at the conference could mark more cooperation with other countries in the Americas in conjunction with US foreign policy.
Cuba’s participation in the 2015 Summit of the Americas was a momentous and historic occasion because it marked the first meeting of Cuban and American heads of states meeting since the Cold War. At the beginning of the conference on Friday night, Castro and Obama were photographed shaking hands. On Saturday, April 11th 2015, President Barack Obama and President Raúl Castro met publicly and engaged in discussion for over an hour at the summit.
During the meeting on Saturday, major talking points for President Obama focused on the acknowledgement of the United States’ differences and missteps, especially that America was not perfect. President Obama asserted that the nation would continue to remain in opposition to oppressive governments. He said that “the United States will not be imprisoned by the past. We are looking to the future.”
President Raúl Castro stated that he was willing to discuss with the United States as long as mutual respect was established. Castro reiterated that he wanted to see that the embargo would be lifted. He noted that President Obama was brave to take steps towards the removal of the embargo, a major foreign policy decision. Castro told Obama that he had read his books and felt that he was humble. Castro stressed the importance of Cuba being removed from the U.S terror list and was hoping that decision could be reached in a timely manner.
Granma reported that Castro was very pleased to be invited to the conference and meeting with fellow leaders of other countries. They also included that Castro spoke about Cuba’s continued position as an ally for Venezuela.
http://en.granma.cu/mundo/2015-04-12/7th-summit-of-the-americas-an-historic-event
http://www.npr.org/2015/04/11/398917315/obama-castro-shake-hands-ahead-of-historic-meeting-saturday
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