Obama suggests Cuba release political
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) – President Barack Obama on Sunday suggested that Cuba release its political prisoners and defended his highly publicized handshakes with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, closing an overseas trip that he said heralded a new start in U.S. ties with Latin America.
Obama said the exchanges with Cuba and Venezuela provide an opportunity dialogue on a range of issues, including democracy and human rights
Earlier this week, the Obama administration lifted restrictions on Cuban-Americans who want to travel and send money to their island homeland and freed U.S. telecommunications companies to seek business there. Havana responded, saying it was open to talks on issues including human rights – a topic long held off-limits.