US and Cuba diplomatic ties restored after 54-years of rift

The Cuban national flag at their new embassy in Washington

(C)Reuters/Andrew Harnik

In what is termed an historic event, the US and Cuba formally restored diplomatic relations after 54years of animosity between the two countries. In the wake of this development, the U.S. has opened its embassy in Havana and Cuba Washington, D.C.
The US Secretary of State John Kerry in a statement said, “Nothing is more futile than trying to live in the past, we’re taking a historic and long overdue step in the right direction. This milestone does not signify an end to the many differences that still separate our governments. But it does reflect the reality that the Cold War ended long ago, that the interests of both countries are better served by engagement than by estrangement”.
Bruno Rodriguez, Cuba's minister of foreign affairs, called for a removal of the 53-year-old US trade embargo and for the US to return Guantanamo Bay to Cuba.