US/Cuban Relations

PANAMA CITY (AP) -- With a cordial evening handshake, President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro moved Friday toward a groundbreaking meeting on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas in what would be a remarkable display of reconciliation between two nations.

The idea of Cuba becoming a travel destination may become a reality.

TRENTON (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he disagrees with President Obama's decision to work to normalize relations with Cuba and wants the president to demand the return of a convicted cop killer before diplomatic relations proceed.

MIAMI (AP) -- Waving flags and chanting "Obama, traitor," anti-Castro protesters gathered Saturday in a Little Havana park in a show of opposition to the president's plan to normalize relations with Cuba.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has praised the "small steps" of diplomacy and peacemaking that brought about the rapprochement between the U.S. and Cuba.

HAVANA (AP) -- Cubans cheered the surprise announcement that their country will restore relations with the United States, hopeful they'll soon see expanded trade and new economic vibrancy even though the 53-year-old economic embargo remains in place for the time being.

New Jersey state police hope that the U.S. plans to normalize full diplomatic relations with Cuba will help bring about the capture and return of a woman convicted in the slaying of a state trooper more than 40 years ago.

President Barack Obama announced the re-establishment of diplomatic relations and an easing in economic and travel restrictions on Cuba Wednesday, declaring an end to America's "outdated approach" to the communist island in a historic shift aimed at ending a half-century of Cold War enmity.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Cuba will begin taking steps to restore full diplomatic relations, marking the most significant shift in U.S. policy toward the communist island in more than half a century.

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Alan Gross has called himself a "trusting fool" for going to Cuba in the first place. Family and friends described him with other words: gregarious and outgoing, with a talent for picking up and playing any musical instrument.