Cuba raises flag in Washington as embassy reopens after half a century

Diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba have been officially restored, with Cuba’s foreign minister taking the hugely symbolic step of raising his country’s flag at a newly designated embassy in Washington later on Monday.

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Bruno Rodríguez, visiting the US capital for the first time in his life, conducted the ceremony at the mansion which has not functioned as an embassy for more than 50 years. He will later attend the State Department for what both sides say will be “substantive” discussions with secretary of state John Kerry. The two top diplomats will appear together at a joint press conference. More...