As United States President Barack Obama hailed a "new chapter" in U.S. relations with Cuba following a five decade-long political standoff; reactions in Miami were split, mostly along generational lines.
Obama's decision to trash the "outdated" U.S. approach towards Cuba was welcomed by groups of younger demonstrators on the one hand but was opposed by older protesters in Havana. Angry protesters flashed placards that read, "Obama administration conspiracy with Castro terrorist" and shouted "Obama a coward! Coward, coward, coward" outside the iconic Versailles Cafe, reported the CNN.
Miami is home to the vast majority of Cuban exiles who once fiercely opposed any change in the U.S. stance towards the island.
Obama announced his decision to normalize and renew diplomatic and economic relations with Cuba and re-open a U.S. embassy in Havana yesterday. His administration would also allow some travel and trade that had been banned under an embargo instated during the Kennedy administration.
Neither Cubans nor Americans were being "served well" by the rigid policy rooted in events that took place before most of us were born, Obama said.
The announcement followed a year of backchannel talks between the U.S. and Cuba, facilitated by the Canadians and the Vatican.
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The move included the release of U.S. contractor Alan Gross and three Cubans held in the U.S.
Cuban President Raul Castro welcomed the decision in a televised address.