USA: Cuban FM tells Kerry normalisation requires Guantanamo return

The Cuban Embassy in Washington DC raised its flag for the first time in more than fifty years, after the two countries officially restored their relations, with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez meeting with US Secretary John Kerry on Monday.

Kerry stated that the two countries are "better served by engagement than by estrangement" and struck an optimistic tone regarding future relations. However, Rodriguez made it clear in his speech, that various differences between the US and Cuba remain. He called for the US to return "the illegally occupied territory of Guantanamo." He also said that the nation's sovereignty must be respected. Rodriguez also said it was "crucial" that Cuban people should be compensated for the damages inflicted upon them before the two countries would be able to fully normalise their relations. According to Kerry, the two officials discussed a number of issues, including human rights, law enforcement and people trafficking.

A flag raising ceremony was carried out, marking the historic event, as Rodriguez visited the US capital for the first time. Since the two nations agreed to restore relations in December, travel to and from Cuba has been relaxed slightly, and it has been taken off the US list of states sponsoring terrorism.