US President Barack Obama names the first US Ambassador to Cuba in 5 decades Wednesday Sep 27,2016

The United States nominates Jeffrey DeLaurentis, America’s top diplomat in Havana, to become the first official Ambassador to Cuba in five decades. 

“The appointment of an Ambassador is a common-sense step forward toward a more normal and productive relationship between our two countries,” President Barack Obama said in a statement

The United States has tapped Jeffrey DeLaurentis, America’s top diplomat in Havana, to become the first official Ambassador to Cuba in five decades. 

“The appointment of an Ambassador is a common-sense step forward toward a more normal and productive relationship between our two countries,” President Barack Obama said in a statement. 

Jeffrey DeLaurentis, left, is already in Havana and previously worked in Bogota and at the UN

Note

Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced a thaw in relations in December 2014. The two countries restored full diplomatic relations in July 2015.

Since then, Washington and Havana have taken once-unthinkable steps to mend ties after more than half a century of enmity.

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