Cuba and the U.S. formally agreed to restore diplomatic relations for the first time in more than half a century. The U.S. already has a sizable presence in Cuba, 60 diplomats and other staff, along with 300 Cuban support staff members working out of what’s called an “Interests Section”, not an actual embassy. Without an ambassador, it is officially under the protection of Switzerland.
CCTV American’s Michael Voss, looks at the troubled history of the building that shortly will be returned to a U.S. embassy. It’s the same building that housed the original embassy which was officially opened in 1953, while the US-friendly dictator Fulgencio Batista was in power.

Arturo Lopez-Levy on the US embassy reopening in Cuba
For more on the Cuba embassy opening, CCTV America’s Asieh Namdar spoke to Arturo Lopez-Levy. He is an adjunct Professor at New York University and co-Author of Raul Castro and the New Cuba: A Close Up View of Change.

Peter Hakim on the new chapter in relations between Cuba and the United States.
Asieh Namdar spoken to Peter Hakim, former President of the Inter-American Dialogue.