OAS ends Cuba suspension after 47 years

Not so sure this is such a good thing !

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras (reuters) - The Organization of American States lifted its 47-year suspension of Cuba on Wednesday in a move backed by Washington as it tries to soothe Cold War tensions with the communist-run island.

The 34-member hemispheric body, meeting in Honduras, unanimously scrapped a 1962 decision at the height of the Cold War that barred Cuba as revolutionary leader Fidel Castro took it toward communism and an alliance with the Soviet Union.

While leftists in Latin America hailed the OAS vote as a diplomatic victory for Cuba, Washington said it had succeeded in ensuring that Cuba cannot rejoin the group without moving toward democracy and respect for human rights.

U.S. President Barack Obama has taken steps toward a more open relationship with Cuba, lifting restrictions on travel and cash remittances to Cuba for Cuban-Americans with relatives on the island.

But his administration had said Havana should not be allowed to return to the OAS until it embraces democratic principles and makes progress on human rights.

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