Cuba Libre! (15/04/15)
The re-opening of the American embassy in Havana is another step along the way towards normalising relations, so I hope the Cuban Government responds soon with measures to dismantle the one-party, one-family state which has ruled the country for years.
The BBC reports on the latest developments with the same US marines who lowered the Stars and Stripes in 1961 playing a part in flying their national flag over the Cuban capital once again.
John Kerry, the first US Secretary of State to visit Cuba in 70 years, presided over the ceremony in Havana.
The US flag was presented by the same US marines who brought it down in 1961.
Cuba reopened its embassy in Washington last month. But issues remain, with Cuban leader Fidel Castro blasting the US for not lifting its trade embargo.
In an open letter on Thursday, Mr Castro said the US owed Cuba millions of dollars because of its 53-year-long embargo. The letter makes no mention of the reopening of the US embassy.
Mr Kerry described the hoisting of the flag as a "historic moment" speaking during the ceremony on Friday.
But he also warned that the US would not stop pressing for political change in Cuba.
"The people of Cuba would be best served by a genuine democracy, where people are free to choose their leaders," he told a crowd of hundreds gathered outside the embassy building.
At the scene - Jon Sopel, BBC North America editor
Diplomacy is the cold and rational pursuit of national interest. But twice I saw John Kerry wipe his eye at the end of his speech at the American embassy.
The handing over of the flag by three old men who 54 years ago as young marines took it down; the US army band striking up the national anthem; the Stars and Stripes hoisted once more - this could never be seen as just cold diplomacy at work. There was emotion.
On both sides. US Cuban relations are entering a new era, and though there will be difficulties ahead and fresh misunderstandings, for those who had brought this restoration of diplomatic relations about, today was one to savour in the Caribbean heat.
Diplomacy is the cold and rational pursuit of national interest. But twice I saw John Kerry wipe his eye at the end of his speech at the American embassy.
The handing over of the flag by three old men who 54 years ago as young marines took it down; the US army band striking up the national anthem; the Stars and Stripes hoisted once more - this could never be seen as just cold diplomacy at work. There was emotion.
On both sides. US Cuban relations are entering a new era, and though there will be difficulties ahead and fresh misunderstandings, for those who had brought this restoration of diplomatic relations about, today was one to savour in the Caribbean heat.
In the past, he conceded, US policies have not led to democracy. "Cuba's future is for Cubans to shape," he added.
Three retired marines who lowered the American flag for the last time on 4 January 1961 handed it over to marines to raise it once again in Havana as the American national anthem played.
"I'm gonna love seeing that flag go back up," said former marine Jim Tracy, 78, in a US State Department video released ahead of the ceremony.
Three retired marines who lowered the American flag for the last time on 4 January 1961 handed it over to marines to raise it once again in Havana as the American national anthem played.
"I'm gonna love seeing that flag go back up," said former marine Jim Tracy, 78, in a US State Department video released ahead of the ceremony.
Hundreds of Cubans turned out for the flag-raising ceremony
Three veteran marines who lowered the US flag in 1961 returned to watch it hoisted in Cuba once again
Secretary of State John Kerry is the highest level US official to visit Cuba in more than 70 years
Cuban leader Raul Castro and US President Barack Obama agreed to restore ties in December last year.
While trade and travel restrictions have been relaxed, the Republican-led US Congress has not lifted the trade embargo the US imposed on the communist-run island in 1960.
Cuba says the embargo - which it calls a blockade - is hugely damaging to its economy.
It says relations will be fully restored only once it is lifted.
Fidel Castro's letter was published in state newspaper Granma to mark his 89th birthday.
Fidel Castro: Cuba's revolutionary leader
Castro survived over 600 assassination attempts to become the longest serving non-royal leader of the 20th Century
Cuban leader Raul Castro and US President Barack Obama agreed to restore ties in December last year.
While trade and travel restrictions have been relaxed, the Republican-led US Congress has not lifted the trade embargo the US imposed on the communist-run island in 1960.
Cuba says the embargo - which it calls a blockade - is hugely damaging to its economy.
It says relations will be fully restored only once it is lifted.
Fidel Castro's letter was published in state newspaper Granma to mark his 89th birthday.
Fidel Castro: Cuba's revolutionary leader
Castro survived over 600 assassination attempts to become the longest serving non-royal leader of the 20th Century
- In 1959 he took power in the Cuban Revolution after several years of guerrilla warfare in the mountains
- The CIA sponsored an unsuccessful invasion by 1,500 Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs in 1961. Castro took personal charge of the defensive operation
- In 1962 the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war
- 125,000 Cubans emigrated to the US in the Mariel Boatlift in 1980
- In 2008 Castro stepped down from power and handed over the reins to his younger brother Raul.
Venezuelan and Bolivian Presidents Nicolas Maduro (left) and Evo Morales (centre) visited Fidel Castro in Cuba on his birthday
In it, Mr Castro said Cuba was committed to "good will and peace in our hemisphere" but added: "We will never stop fighting for the peace and welfare of all human beings, regardless of the colour of their skin and which country they come from."
Fidel Castro led his country from the Cuban Revolution, in 1959, until 2006, when he stood down because of undisclosed health problems.
He passed on power to his younger brother, Raul, who embarked on a number of economic reforms.
In it, Mr Castro said Cuba was committed to "good will and peace in our hemisphere" but added: "We will never stop fighting for the peace and welfare of all human beings, regardless of the colour of their skin and which country they come from."
Fidel Castro led his country from the Cuban Revolution, in 1959, until 2006, when he stood down because of undisclosed health problems.
He passed on power to his younger brother, Raul, who embarked on a number of economic reforms.
