After 50 years, the United States and Cuba may finally come together diplomatically.
President Barack Obama revealed in his address on Wednesday about ending policies isolating the communist country, according to USA Today. The recent agreement and release of Alan Gross reportedly aided in the new discussions between the countries.
The Celebrity Café reported about the release of Gross, a U.S contractor who was imprisoned in Cuba for five years, and the deal with the U.S to release three accused, imprisoned Cuban spies.
President Obama said in a broadcasted speech on Wednesday that the old policies against Cuba worked against the wants of the U.S, according to the New York Times. Policies against traveling and economics between the two countries would be lessened, but the original embargo would currently be in effect.
“These 50 years have shown that isolation hasn’t worked,” said President Obama in the speech, reposted on the White House Twitter page. “It’s time for a new approach.”
The official White House website revealed the President’s plan for diplomacy with Cuba. Communications and internet access, which is highly restricted in the country, were also planned to be expanded. Human rights in Cuba will be discussed by the U.S, but they also wanted to include other nations in the diplomatic discussion.