Opponents threaten to block implementation of Obama's new Cuba policy

Opponents of United States President Barack Obama's new Cuba policy, which aims at normalizing ties with Cuba and ending the five decade-long political standoff, have threatened to block his efforts to renew diplomatic relations with the state.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio warned that he would block the nomination of any U.S. ambassador to Cuba. Other anti-Cuba legislators also said that the Congress would block funding for any "normalized ties" with the country, reported the BBC.

An embargo instated on Cuba in the early 1960s had frozen Washington's relations with Havana, a policy which Obama dubbed as "a failure."

Obama struck a new chord on Wednesday when he announced his decision to trash the outdated approach and renew ties with Cuba.

A U.S. contractor Alan Gross, 65, and an unnamed intelligence officer were released from Cuban prison in return for three Cubans held in the US.

Obama's administration also seeks to set up an embassy in Cuba, expand U.S. visitors, open up banking and increase caps on the amount Cubans can post to relatives on to the island.

However, only Congress, which is dominated by Republicans who strongly oppose such a change, has the power to end the full trade embargo.