Obama to Cuban Blogger: Next Move Is Castro's

Raul promises to free dissidents in exchange for Cuban 5

(NEWSER) - In another sign of a potential thaw in US-Cuban relations, Raul Castro offered today to release five political dissidents if the US frees five Cubans jailed on spy charges. Castro says the prisoner swap could precede talks between himself and Barack Obama, Reuters reports. “Give us back our five heroes," said Castro. "That is a gesture on both parts." More»

Cuban prez seeks talks for US trade deal, he tells Sean Penn

(NEWSER) - Raul Castro wants to normalize trade with the US and he's eager to meet with Barack Obama in order to do so, the Cuban leader told actor Sean Penn in an interview in the Nation. Castro said it wouldn't be fair to expect either leader to go to the other's country first, and suggested a meeting on neutral ground—like Guantanamo Bay. More»

Cuban prez slams US over arrested contractor

(NEWSER) - Raul Castro signaled that his honeymoon with the Obama administration is over in an angry speech yesterday accusing the US of stepping up its effort to topple the country's Communist government. "The enemy is as active as always," said Castro, pointing to the Cuba's recent detention of an American citizen for distributing communications equipment to opposition groups. More»

(NEWSER) - Raúl Castro has warned the US not to expect any changes to Cuba's communist system, saying that while Barack Obama's administration was less "aggressive," he was not prepared to make peace. His comments came after Hillary Clinton made several remarks suggesting better relations if Cuba changed its ways, Reuters reports. "With all due respect to Mrs. Clinton, they didn't elect me president to restore capitalism in Cuba, nor to hand over the revolution," said the Cuban president. More»

Casual discussions could pave road to 'open relationship'

(NEWSER) - The US is inching toward loosening relations with Cuba on the heels of President Obama’s Latin American trip, the New York Times reports. Cuban diplomats are set to meet informally with US officials to “test the waters,” an administration official said, mulling future talks over migration, drug trafficking, and other issues in efforts at “a serious, civil, open relationship.” More»