A new era for U.S. and Cuba relations

When U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower imposed the first trade embargo with Cuba in the early 60s, Barack Obama hadn't even been born. Eisenhower's expectation of restoring ties in the not-too-distant future would not happen until ten presidents later. But while Barack Obama's decision to restore relations signals a massive shift for the U.S., his political opponents consider it catastrophic ... an appeasement.

Yesterday, the United States and Cuba abruptly moved to restore diplomatic relations. The U.S. is easing restrictions on travel to Cuba for family visits, official government business and educational activities. But tourist travel remains banned. (AP/Desmond Boylan)

"Today, the United States of America, is changing its relationship with the people of Cuba. In the most significant changes in our policy in more than 50 years, we will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests, and instead we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries".U.S. President Barack Obama

After more than half-a-century of chilly relations between America and the communist island to its south... a thaw arrives, and seemingly out of the blue. That was U.S. president Barack Obama announcing the historic development yesterday.

Opening a new chapter in the country's relationship with Cuba could represent one of the biggest U.S. policy shifts in decades. It's a bold move, and one that few saw coming... though apparently Canada played a role behind the scenes in bringing it about.

"We facilitated places where the two countries could have a dialogue and explore ways of normalizing the relationship. That's what we did and we think it's a good development, probably an overdue development. I personally believe changes are coming in Cuba and this will facilitate those.Prime Minister Stephen Harper, speaking yesterday

Prime Minister Stephen joins a chorus of international voices in welcoming this new closeness between neighbours.

Pedro Freyre is a Cuban-American who has been living in the US since 1960. He is an Attorney specializing in Cuban embargo regulations, and he is a Lecturer at Law at Columbia University School of Law where he teaches a seminar on Cuba.

News of a thaw in relations between the United States and Cuba has been welcomed far and wide, but not by everyone, and especially not by some people who have very close ties to both countries.

Roger Noriega was the US ambassador to the Organization of American States and assistant secretary of State for Western Hemisphere affairs in the George W. Bush administration from 2001 to 2005. He's now a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

This segment was produced by The Current's Pacinthe Mattar, Leif Zapf-Gilje and Sarah Grant.