The Obamas Make Historic Visit to Cuba

Over the weekend, President Barack Obama took a trip not made by a standing president in 88 years. That trip was to Cuba.

And the President was a hit.

Reports from The New York Times “ claim shouts of ‘U.S.A.’” and ‘Obama’” echoed through the streets, with one man screaming, “Welcome to Cuba! We like you!” The welcome ceremony extended from the streets into the Palace of the Revolution at which a Cuban band performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” for the President. Quite the celebration for the leader of a country that’s economically suppressed Cuba for 54 years.

Of course, this trip wasn’t about celebrating Americanism. The trip afforded an opportunity for Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro to discuss the most recent agreements leading up to the massive influx of tourism, which has seen airlines, cruise liners and hotels vying for real estate, to the Caribbean island. Moreover, the visit was also a reason to amend past aggressions.

According to a speech the president gave to Cubans, “I have come here to bury the last
remnant of the Cold War in the Americas. I have come here to extend the hand of friendship to the Cuban people.”

So what did this extension of friendship look like? Well, the White House Instagram documented the entire trip. Let’s just say, there weren’t as many cigars as expected.