(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Cuban flag proudly flew over Havana's newly restored embassy in Washington yesterday for the first time in 54 years as the two nations relaunched diplomatic ties, turning the page on decades of hostility.
In a historic ceremony attended by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, a crowd of more than 500 people cheered and shouted "Fidel, Fidel" and "Viva Raul" as the flag was raised by an honor guard.
They were referring to Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and his brother Raul Castro, who is now the president of the communist-run Caribbean island.
The United States and Cuba officially resumed relations at one minute after midnight, eliminating one of the last vestiges of the Cold War.
An American official confirmed that US Secretary of State John Kerry will now visit Havana on August 14.
He will be the first US secretary of state to visit Cuba since 1945, sealing what will be a major foreign policy legacy of President Barack Obama's eight-year tenure.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the new diplomatic ties were "yet another demonstration that we don't have to be imprisoned by the past."
"We look forward to working collaboratively to normalize relations with the Cuban government and the Cuban people after half a century of discord."
At the flag-raising ceremony at the Cuban embassy, Rodriguez warned the "challenge is great," but said Havana was willing to move forward "in a constructive spirit."
He called for the removal of the US economic blockade on Cuba which he said had "caused so much deprivation and damage to our people."
The historic turnaround between two bitter adversaries has come at breakneck speed after Obama and Raul Castro in December agreed to normalize ties, as Washington acknowledged that its policy of trying to effect change by isolating Cuba had failed.
The Cuban banner first took its place in the columned marble entrance hall to the State Department, hoisted before dawn between the flags of Croatia and Cyprus. It was then raised at the embassy in Washington, which until yesterday had been operating as an interests section.
At the US embassy in Havana, however, where some 360 people including 30 Americans work, there were few outward signs Monday of its new status, with diplomats awaiting Kerry's arrival next month for the flag-raising.
In another historic move, Kerry received Rodriguez for talks yesterday - the first time a top Cuban diplomat has visited the State Department since 1958.
The restoration of diplomatic ties has been hailed by Cubans, who hope to see an easing of tough economic conditions.
"It's a day to be celebrated, it's an important day that will bring new opportunities," said 18-year-old Cuban Adriel Gonzales, who had the honor of raising the Cuban flag outside the US embassy in Havana.
But both nations have cautioned this is only a beginning, warning that overcoming decades of enmity will not be easy.
One of the biggest areas of contention remains human rights, with Washington pressing for an improvement in freedoms of expression, religion and the press in the Caribbean island nation.
Some Republicans have been sharply critical of what they see as US haste to cozy up with Cuba.
Senator and 2016 presidential hopeful Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, vowed on Sunday to end diplomatic ties with an "anti-American communist tyranny."
Another tough issue is compensation for American property seized after the 1959 Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro. Some 5,911 lawsuits have been opened in the United States seeking an estimated $7bn to $8bn. On Havana's side, Raul Castro has urged Obama to use his executive powers to "dismantle" the economic embargo in place for more than 50 years, calling it the main stumbling block to normalisation.
Washington also wants to ensure the return of several American fugitives wanted in the United States. Tough negotiations eased one stumbling block with the Cuban security presence outside the US embassy in Havana already reduced.
And while American diplomats will still have to provide notification of their travel, they will no longer have to seek permission.
US charge d'affaires Jeffrey DeLaurentis will stay in post in Havana until a new ambassador is confirmed, with his Cuban counterpart Jose Cabanas also staying in place in Washington.
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