MEXICO CITY — The surprise move to normalize relations with Cuba comes as President Barack Obama considers his legacy.
The announcement, which was immediately criticized by powerful Cuban-American lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, came the day after Congress adjourned and before Republicans take control of both houses in January.
Since the Democrats’ midterm election shellacking in November, Obama has been on a mission to demonstrate that he is not a lame duck, using his executive powers to make sweeping policy changes on immigration and the environment, and announcing a climate change deal with China.
Analysts say ongoing negotiations could lead to a face-to-face meeting between Obama and Raul Castro at the Summit of the Americas in Panama in April, which Cuba has been invited to for the first time.
Still, obstacles remain to normal relations (full diplomatic ties were cut in 1961). Washington still prohibits American tourism to Cuba, and the Obama Administration cannot end the trade embargo without congressional approval — something unlikely to happen while a Castro remains in control in Havana.
Any final agreement likely will need to address compensation for Cuban exiles who lost property when they fled their homeland decades ago.
