United Nations – U.S. President Barack Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro at the United Nations on Tuesday in a rare one-on-one meeting between the former Cold War foes as they work toward improving relations after decades of animosity.
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Castro, in the first speech at the U.N. by a Cuban president since his older brother Fidel addressed the Millennium Summit in 2000, said on Monday the two countries can normalize ties only after Washington ends its trade embargo and returns the Guantanamo U.S. naval base to Cuban control.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Castro emphasized both points in the meeting with Obama, which he called “respectful and constructive.” The two presidents first shook hands at Nelson Mandela’s funeral in December 2013.
They stunned the world late last year by announcing detente, and in July, the United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations after a 54-year break.
Obama told the U.N. on Monday he was confident the U.S. Congress would eventually lift the U.S. embargo on Cuba. His administration has said it does not intend to return the naval base, though it is working hard to close the controversial prison there.
The White House said the two men discussed regulatory changes announced this month and human rights issues.