On Friday, U.S.-Cuban relations gained unanticipated new momentum as leaders of the two countries showed willingness to open potentially historic talks on issues that have bitterly separated them since the early days of the Cold War.

President Obama called for a “new beginning” with the island nation

Cuba’s President Raul Castro spoke at a meeting in Venezuela. “We are willing to discuss everything — human rights, freedom of press, political prisoners, everything, everything, everything they want to talk about,” Castro said.

Obama, arriving in Port of Spain for the Summit of the Americas, a gathering of the Western Hemisphere’s 34 democratically elected leaders. He did not say he would end the statutory U.S. trade embargo against Cuba, but he indicated an openness to change.

“The United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba. Over the past two years, I have indicated — and I repeat today — that I am prepared to have my administration engage with the Cuban government on a wide range of issues — from human rights, free speech, and democratic reform to drugs, migration and economic issues”, said Obama.

Moreover, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, addressed Castro’s remarks more directly.

“We welcome this overture. We’re taking a serious look at how we intend to respond.” 

In recent decades, the Cuban government has repeatedly hinted that it was ready for a thaw in U.S. relations but they are fearful that better relations with the United States would threaten its hold on power.

Cuba experts and American lawmakers cautioned that the signs of warming and talks could be short-lived as well.

(more from latimes)

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