Obama Makes Historic Visit In Cuba Amidst Issues Of Country Protecting US Criminals

A sense of optimism appeared to have ridden along the wind of change as Obama confidently remarked that the half-century-old US economic embargo on Cuba would end following his historic visit to the most isolated country in the Americas, Cuba.

"What we did for 50 years did not serve our interests or the interests of the Cuban people. We continue to have serious differences, including on democracy and human rights," said the US President as he met with Raul Castro, the incumbent chief executive of the communist regime on the island as quoted by New York Times.

With the historic visit which culminated in the first-ever state visit by a sitting US president in 90 years, critics slammed White House for facilitating a new approach to US-Cuban relations amid deep unresolved issues such as human rights and the Castro regime's protection of some of America's most wanted fugitives.

One of the well known American criminals on the run who were given asylum on the island was Chesimard (aka Assata Shakur) who was convicted for her murder of state trooper Werner Foerster back in 1973 while she was still a member of the militant black rights movement called the Black Liberation Army.

"The simple truth is, deals with the devil require the devil to deal," said New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez who led the congressional critics as quoted in a New York Post report.

While in Cuba, Castro and Obama had exchanged firm jabs in their speeches albeit with mutual respect toward each other. As Obama raised the human rights concern, Castro, likewise, returned the jab saying America was falling short on universal healthcare, equal pay,  and equal access to education among other things.

Despite the differences, analysts believe that Obama will most likely follow America's approach in its diplomatic relations with other equally authoritarian communist regimes like China and Vietnam. Obama also noted that Cuba's future will have to be shaped by Cubans themselves- a chilling reminder of America's interference on Cuban affairs prior to the revolution.

"The future of Cuba will be decided by Cubans and not by anyone else," said Obama as quoted by NBC News.