Republicans unmoved by US, Cuba rapprochement

Barack Obama and Raul Castro made history by restoring diplomatic ties between the US and Cuba after a 54-year freeze but the American Congress, controlled by Republicans, has shown little sign that it intends to end a 1962 trade embargo against the Communist nation.Announcing the historic move aimed at normalisation of ties between the Cold War foes, President Obama said many Americans and Cubans were making a “choice between the future and the past”.  

He also urged critics in Congress to endorse his move by lifting the decades-old US trade embargo against Cuba.

“Americans and Cubans alike are ready to move forward. I believe it’s time for Congress to do the same,” he said, adding that, “We’ve already seen members from both parties begin that work.”   

Obama’s announcement on Wednesday  came after his historic meeting with his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro in April, the first talks between the two countries’ leaders in more than half a century. But the Congress - House of Representatives and Senate, controlled by Republicans, has shown little sign that it intends to end the embargo.

 Several Republicans eying the White House in 2016 expressed their opposition to the shift in policy. Senator Ted Cruz was quick to criticise the move to reopen embassies in Havana and Washington from July 20, a major step towards normalisation of ties.