Cuba celebrates embassy opening in Washington

A high-profile delegation accompanies the Cuban foreign minister in Washington. Bruno Rodríguez will also meet his U.S. peer.

Cuba flag embassyCUBA STANDARD — The Cuban foreign minister is accompanied by a large, high-profile delegation today in Washington to raise the flag of Cuba and celebrate the opening of his country’s embassy in Washington.

According to a statement by the foreign ministry and official media, Bruno Rodríguez leads a 26-member group that includes Josefina Vidal, who is heading the Cuban delegation in U.S.-Cuba talks, members of the Council of State, National Assembly Vice President Ana María Mari Machado, Nueva Trova singer Silvio Rodríguez, author Miguel Barnet, former Parliament President Ricardo Alarcón, Havana City Historian and Habagüanex President Eusebio Leal, painter Alexis Leiva Machado a.k.a Kcho, and Rev. Marcial Miguel Hernández, the head of the Cuban Council of Churches.

Rodríguez is also scheduled to visit with Secretary of State John Kerry.

As the Interests Sections of both countries will convert to full embassies, the Cuban official ministry also confirmed that José Ramón Cabañas, the chief of the Cuban Interests Section, will convert to be his country’s first ambassador to the United States since 1961.

Interior of the Interests Section building, in preparation for festivities celebrating its conversion into an embassy. Photo: Univision
Interior of the Interests Section building, in preparation for festivities celebrating its conversion into an embassy. Photo: Univision

 

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