Jamaica welcomes US policy shift towards Cuba

The Jamaican government has welcomed the announcement by  US President Barak Obama to normalise relations with Cuba.

Minister of  State in the Ministry of  Foreign Affairs, Arnaldo Brown, says it will offer opportunities for Jamaican businesses.

The ruling People’s National Party (PNP), on Wednesday said  it has “positively received” the announcement of changes in policy regarding Cuba.

“As a political organization we have always stood in solidarity with the people of Cuba and their fight for political and ideological independence, which culminated in the ousting of the Batista Regime on January 1, 1959.”

The PNP said that it viewed as a “quantum leap” the announcement by the US President specifically: the re-establishment of full diplomatic relations between both countries; the establishment of respective embassies in the capitals of both countries; and the relaxation of travel requirements and restrictions among and between nationals of both countries.

On Wednesday,Obama announced the end of  what he called a rigid policy of  isolation of  Cuba, that had been ineffective,
The US President said the United States would move toward normal ties and open an embassy in Cuba.

Obama discussed the changes with Cuban President, Raul Castro on Tuesday in a nearly hour-long telephone call.

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