Cuban exiles hit out against Obama

Miami, Dec 18 (IANS/EFE) US President Barack Obama's historic speech announcing the re-establishment of diplomatic ties with Havana has failed to convince Cuban exiles living in Miami who received the news as a bolt from the blue.

"Coward" and "traitor" were some of the adjectives used to describe Obama by Cuban exiles and dissidents in Miami.

Republican leaders such as Senator Marco Rubio and ex-Florida governor Jeb Bush, both with presidential aspirations, were also critical.

Obama indicated in his speech that he knew what sort of response the news would trigger in Florida, and particularly in Miami: Anger from Cubans who risked their lives to escape the dictatorial regime.

"Today, Miami is often referred to as the capital of Latin America. But it is also a profoundly American city -- a place that reminds us that ideals matter more than the colour of our skin, or the circumstances of our birth; a demonstration of what the Cuban people can achieve, and the openness of the United States to our family to the south," Obama said.

The surprise came when Obama appeared on television to announce that the US would put an end to 53 years of hostility with Cuba and agreed with Havana to re-open diplomatic relations.

Prominent exile spokespersons such as Ramon Saul Sanchez said even though they did not believe that the restoration of diplomatic relations would lead to an immediate democratic opening in Cuba, they would still like to meet the new challenge and be present in some form during future talks.

Senator Rubio vehemently reacted to the news, and said he would do his utmost to prevent the lifting of the US economic embargo on Cuba.

Bush also criticised Obama's move, saying he was overstepping the limits of executive authority and accused the president of rewarding Cuban dictators who have a catastrophic history of human rights violations.

Demonstrations against Obama's decision have been announced by Cuban exiles in Miami over the next few days and will be an indication of just how much resistance there is to the new chapter in US-Cuban relations among that community.

--IANS/EFE

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