Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 20 March 2016: Barack Obama pays a historic visit to Cuba

On Sunday, March 20, USA President Barack Obama embarked on the long-awaited visit to Cuba. The first visit of the sitting presidents in 88 years, was scheduled in light of the recent attempts by both sides to normalize the relations between the two nations, and mark the re-opening of the diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana. Obama met with Raul Castro, the current president, and held a speech, relating to democracy and freedom. In his speech, Obama further addressed the topics of political prisoners in Cuba. The speech was criticized by both the former president, Fidel Castro, in an open letter he published baring the title "Brother Obama", and by the current president, accusing Obama that criticism to Cuba should not precede self-correction. Obama and Castro also attended a friendly baseball game between Cuba and the U.S. The visit was conducted under warnings by the Cuban administration to refrain from intervening in Cuban internal affairs, meeting with anti-Castro activists, and call for democracy and freedom. Obama's visit was criticized as one that reflected carelessness towards the warnings.