After lifting sanctions on Iran, Obama arrives in Cuba to bury another hatchet
"¿Que bolá Cuba?" he wrote on Twitter,” shortly after Air Force One landed in Havana. “Just touched down here, looking forward to meeting and hearing directly from the Cuban people," he Tweeted.
A rainy day failed to hamper eager Cubans from gathering in Havana’s faded Colonial streets for a glimpse of Obama and his family, as they strolled on foot.
In Cuba, Obama wants to do what he did for Iran: lift a decades-old US trade embargo that would see American imports in Cuba and slash financial restrictions blocking Havana from connecting to the global banking system.
So far, the Obama administration has loosened travel restrictions against Americans going independently to Cuba instead of in groups – though a formal tourism ban remains in place.
His administration also has allowed Cuban citizens to open US bank accounts, enabling them to send money back home.
Soon, flights are set to begin between Cuba and the United States.
But while US sanctions against Iran were formally lifted by Congress,that has not happened with Cuba. Obama admitted in an interview with CNN that he did not think Congress would lift the embargo against Cuba under his presidency.
"My strong prediction is that sometime in the next president's administration, whether they are a Democrat or a Republican, that the embargo in fact will be removed," he said.
In a greeting to Iranians for Newroz, the Persian New Year, Obama spoke of a “different future” for Iran and the United States, which have remained archenemies since Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution.
“Every year as a president I have taken this opportunity, the hope of spring to speak directly to the people of Iran about how we might open a new window and begin a new relationship between our countries,” Obama said in a video greeting on Saturday.
“Now for the first time in decades, there is a chance for a different future,” he added. He reassured Iranians that the benefits of lifted sanctions would be felt soon.
“It may take time for you, the Iranian people, to feel the full benefit of the lifted sanctions in your daily lives, but the benefits are undeniable,” he said.
In his televised address marking the Persian New Year on Sunday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei complained that – despite the lifting of sanctions -- Tehran still faces obstacles to reentering and reintegrating with the international banking system, thanks to US pressure.
“In Western countries and places which are under US influence, our banking transactions are under US influence, our banking transactions and the repatriation of our funds from their banks face problems … because (the banks) fear the Americans,” he claimed.
“The Americans have not acted on their promise, and have removed the sanctions (only) on paper,” he alleged.
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