President Barack Obama took the first steps to normalize U.S.-Cuba relations Wednesday.
In a televised White House statement, President Obama announced steps to re-establish a U.S. embassy in Havana, restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba broken in 1961.
“Isolation has not worked,” Obama said. “It’s time for a new approach.”
He also announced measures to increase travel, financial remittances and commercial sales and exports to Cuba.
The president stressed his continuing commitment to promoting democracy, human rights and the free flow of information for the Cuban people.
Watch President Obama’s full statement below:
