Sen. Patrick Leahy says the reopening of a U.S. Embassy in Cuba is a very positive step that should lead to stronger relations between Havana and Washington. Leahy was in Cuba on Friday as the United States flag was raised at the new embassy.
Leahy was part of a special Congressional delegation that flew to Cuba for the official ceremonies re-establishing a U.S Embassy. It's been 54 years since the United States has had a formal presence in Havana.
Critics of the plan argue that this new recognition serves as a reward for the anti-democratic Castro regime in Cuba. Speaking from Havana, Leahy said he strongly disagrees with this analysis.
"We had an anachronism in our embargo and all for over 50 years and it accomplished absolutely nothing. It's a vestige of the cold war and finally both countries acknowledged that we're in a new era, a new generation and let's try something else," Leahy said.
Leahy says he's confident that over time, democratic policies will begin to emerge in Cuba as more and more Cubans gain access to the Internet.
