Raul Castro: Cuba, U.S. to exchange envoys after May 29

Cuba and the United States will exchange ambassadors after May 29, Cuban leader Raul Castro announced Tuesday in another development in the countries’ effort to thaw the Cold War-era diplomatic freeze.

The two countries will name envoys after the United States removes the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism later this month, according to The Associated Press. President Barack Obama announced last month that his administration would lift the designation, long a point of contention with the Cuban government.


Castro and Obama held a historic face-to-face meeting last month in Panama City, marking the first meeting between leaders of the two formerly hostile countries since 1956. The two leaders announced last December that they would work to restore diplomatic ties after more than 50 years.

The U.S. and Cuba have not had full diplomatic relations since 1961, when the U.S. withdrew its ambassador and shuttered its Havana embassy. The countries currently maintain missions in each other’s capitals, however, with the assistance of Switzerland.

Asked about Castro’s comments, White House Press Secretary Joshua Earnest said only that Obama “may” have chosen an ambassador, but declined to comment further.