Obama’s visit to Cuba sparks reactions

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Obama waves to the citizens of Cuba. His trip was highly anticipated not only by Americans but by the Cuban community also. Photo Credit: https://cdn-images- 1.medium.com/max/2000/1*8bfquCo_Z4uAycG2UYgM6w.jpeg

Emilia Difabrizio, Sam Werner, Zoie Ashemeade, and Darnell Henderson

Just over a year after announcing the end of the embargo the United States officially placed on Cuba in the sixties, Obama is the first president in over 90 years to visit the country. The restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States will open up all kinds of opportunities for businesses and individuals.

 

“My family will be closer because I can see them and they can come over here, to the US” Giovanni Figueruelo, sophomore said.

 

The recent change in relations with Cuba will include direct flights and direct mail delivery to the country, making it easier for friends and family in each country to communicate.

 

“Right now it’s hard to communicate with them [my family].” Natasha Rovira, junior, said. “By opening up Cuba it will be easier because we can talk to my family, I have family that I’ve never even meet in person before.”  

 

Since 2009, restrictions set by former President George W. Bush during his term were changed, and civilians were allowed to travel to Cuba for education or religious reasons. The new traveling policy between the two countries allows traveling for recreational reasons, such as vacation and visiting family.

 

“I think it’s fantastic and it should have happened a very long time ago.” Chloe Sysk, sophomore, said. “It’s sad that it had to happen this late in [Obama’s] presidency.”

 

When Obama initially came into office, he had the goal of reversing the isolation set in place between the US and Cuba. Obama’s recent visit to Cuba displays all the positive progress made diplomatically between the two countries.

 

“I think it might open up relations a little bit more, making it easier to travel there, and give the cuban people some optimism.” Betsy Gomez-Diaz, AP Physics teacher, said.

 

The embargo placed on the Cuban country stopped all trade causing it to be very poor, and even considered a third world country today. The recent change in policy is thought to bring more trade and tourism to the country, which will ultimately help the country industrialized.

 

“I think it’s cool that it’s being done now,” Rovira said. “Better late than never.”
Although the change in relations between the US and Cuba is a heavily debated topic, most Cuban- Americans agree that it’s a good thing for both countries.

 

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