Updated March 21, 2024 at 11:40 a.m.
Barack Obama visited Cuba on this day in 2016 as part of his efforts to improve relations between the United States and Cuba. The visit was the first by a U.S. president in nearly 90 years and came after the two countries had re-established diplomatic relations in 2015.
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What did Barack Obama do in Cuba?
During his visit to Cuba, Barack Obama met with Cuban President Raul Castro and other Cuban officials. He also gave a speech to the Cuban people, visited cultural sites, and attended a baseball game between the Cuban national team and the Tampa Bay Rays.
Why did Obama go to Cuba?
The goals of Barack Obama's visit to Cuba were to further improve relations between the United States and Cuba, promote greater economic ties between the two countries, and encourage greater political freedom and human rights in Cuba.
How have U.S.-Cuba relations evolved since Barack Obama's visit?
U.S.-Cuba relations have continued to evolve since Barack Obama's visit. In 2017, the Trump administration rolled back some of the Obama-era policies toward Cuba, but the Biden administration has signaled that it will seek to restore some of those policies. In 2021, the United States and Cuba held talks on a range of issues, including human rights, migration, and economic cooperation.