President Barack Obama discussing US policy toward Cuba at the White House on Dec. 17, 2014. WhiteHouse.gov President Barack Obama made a statement from the White House on Wednesday at noon ET following the announcement that his administration is making a major shift in US policy toward Cuba.

"Neither the American or the Cuban people are well served by a policy that's rooted in events that took place before many of us were born," Obama said.

He said these were "most significant changes in our policy in more than 50 years."

"We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests and, instead, we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries," Obama said.

Several times during his speech Obama used Spanish phrases.

"Todos somos Americanos," he declared, which means, "we are all Americans."

In a press call before the president's speech, senior administration officials detailed elements of the policy, which will involve resuming diplomatic relations between the two countries, working to remove Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terror, and an easing of travel and commercial restrictions.

The policy shift does not constitute an end to the US embargo against Cuba, which would require action from Congress. However, Obama indicated that he hopes to push for this.

"These are the steps that I can take as president to change this policy," Obama said. "The embargo that's been imposed for decades is now codified in legislation. As these changes unfold, I look forward to engaging Congress in an honest and serious debate about lifting the embargo."

At the same time as Obama's address, Cuban President Raul Castro gave a speech that was broadcast on state television and radio in that country. Castro, who White House officials said had discussed the deal with Obama in a phone call on Tuesday, praised the deal as "progress."

"The progress we've made in recent exchanges shows that we can find a solution to many problems," said Castro, as interpreted by Business Insider.

Castro said he was most concerned about reinstating telecommunications and travel between the two nations.

"I exhort the American government to remove these obstacles," Castro said.

Relations between America and Cuba, which is located less than 100 miles south of Florida, began to deteriorate in 1959 following the revolution that brought the communist regime of Castro's brother, Fidel, to power. The US subsequently maintained an embargo against Cuba. Diplomatic relations were severed in 1961.

Cubans watching Raul Castro speak on television at a restaurant in Havana on December 17, 2014. Reuters

The Cuban government under both Castro brothers has been criticized by many opponents for its human-rights record and repression of free speech. Obama acknowledged that "there is a complicated history between the United States and Cuba. He stressed America still hopes to improve conditions "related to democracy and human rights in Cuba."

However, Obama argued "isolation has not worked" and declared "it's time for a new approach."

"Proudly, the United States has supported democracy and human rights in Cuba through these five decades," Obama said. "We've done so primarily through policies that aimed to isolate the island, preventing the most basic travel and commerce that Americans can enjoy any place else. And though this policy has been rooted in the best of intentions, no other nation joins us in imposing these sanctions and it has had little effect beyond providing the Cuban government with a rationale for restrictions on its people."

Obama pointed out the Castro brothers were still in power in spite of American efforts.

"Today, Cuba is still governed by the Castros and the Communist Party that came to power half a century ago," he said.

Obama's policy shift came on the heels of a prisoner swap between the US and Cuba that was also announced on Wednesday. Obama indicated the swap was a crucial element in allowing the deal to move forward.

Though Obama predicted increased engagement with the US would lead to improvements in Cuba, he noted he does not expect the policy shift to have a major effect immediately.

"I do not expect the changes I'm announcing today to bring about a transformation of Cuban policy overnight," he said.

Still, Obama said the fact past US policy did not change the Cuban regime was proof a shift was needed. Going forward, Obama said the new deal would allow the two countries to resolve disagreements "directly."

Critics, including some US lawmakers, spoke out against the deal almost as soon as it was announced. Several of these critics argued it is inappropriate to normalize relations with Cuba given the conduct of the country's regime.

Obama addressed opponents of the deal in his speech.

"To those who oppose the steps I'm announcing today, let me say that I respect your passion and share your commitment to liberty and democracy," he said. "The question is how we uphold that commitment. I do not believe we can keep doing the same thing for over five decades and expect a different result."

In his speech, Castro also expressed hope the US and Cuba could begin to resolve disagreements in a different way.

"We should learn the art of living with our differences in a civilized manner," he said.

Secretary of State John Kerry also released a statement following the president's speech in which he discussed the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"In January, as part of the President’s directive to discuss moving toward re-establishment of diplomatic relations, my Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere Roberta Jacobson will travel to Cuba to lead the U.S. Delegation to the next round of U.S.-Cuba Migration Talks," said Kerry. "I look forward to being the first Secretary of State in 60 years to visit Cuba."

Near the conclusion of his speech, Obama said the policy shift represented the US extending a "hand of friendship" to the Cuban people.

"Some of you have looked to us as a source of hope and we'll continue to shine a light of freedom. Others have seen us as a former colonizer intent on controlling your future," Obama said. "Jose Marti once said, 'Liberty is the right of every man to be honest.' Today, I'm being honest with you. We can never erase the history between us, but we believe that you should be empowered to live with dignity and self determination."

Obama concluded by saying he hoped the deal would improve the lives of many Cubans.

"Cubans have a saying about daily life, 'no es facil,' it's not easy," he said. "Today, the United States wants to be a partner in making the lives of ordinary Cubans a little bit easier, more free, more prosperous."



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