President Obama met with Cuban President Raul Castro in Havana Monday, as the two leaders began historic discussions over the course of restoring economic and cultural ties between the former Cold War adversaries.
The Cuban government staged a formal welcome ceremony for Mr. Obama at the Palace of the Revolution, where a military band played the national anthems of both countries as the U.S. delegation arrived. Mr. Obama and his family arrived on the communist-ruled island nation Sunday, making him the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba since 1928.
As they posed for pictures and a handshake, Mr. Obama told Mr. Castro that he and his family “had a great tour yesterday” in old Havana and enjoyed a “great dinner” at a restaurant.
Ahead of the meeting with the Cuban leader, Mr. Obama said he believed that “change is going to happen here, and I think that Raul Castro understands that.” The two presidents first met last year on the sidelines of a summit in central America.
Mr. Obama also told ABC News that he would be announcing that Google has struck a deal with the Cuban government to improve Wi-Fi and broadband access.
Earlier Monday, Mr. Obama participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Jose Marti memorial, a tribute to the Cuban national hero who fought for independence from Spain in the 19th century.
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Mr. Obama and Mr. Castro announced in 2014 that they would restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies in both countries, ending more than 50 years of isolation.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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