HAVANA
(AP) -- Laying bare a half-century of tensions, President Barack Obama
and Cuban President Raul Castro prodded each other Monday over human
rights and the longstanding U.S. economic embargo during an
unprecedented joint news conference that stunned Cubans unaccustomed to
their leaders being aggressively questioned.
The
exchanges underscored deep divisions that still exist between the two
countries despite rapidly improved relations in the 15 months since
Obama and Castro surprised the world with an announcement to end their
Cold War-era diplomatic freeze.
Obama,
standing in Havana's Palace of the Revolution on the second day of his
historic visit to Cuba, repeatedly pushed Castro to take steps to
address his country's human rights record.
"We
continue, as President Castro indicated, to have some very serious
differences, including on democracy and human rights," said Obama, who
planned to meet with Cuban dissidents Tuesday. Still, Obama heralded a
"new day" in the U.S.-Cuba relationship and said "part of normalizing
relations means we discuss these differences directly."
Castro
was blistering in his criticism of the American embargo, which he
called "the most important obstacle" to his country's economic
development. He also pressed Obama to return the Guantanamo detention
center, which is on the island of Cuba, to his government.
"There are profound differences between our countries that will not go away," Castro said plainly.
White
House officials spent weeks pushing their Cuban counterparts to agree
for the leaders to take questions from reporters after their private
meeting, reaching agreement just hours before Obama and Castro appeared
before cameras. It's extremely rare for Castro to give a press
conference, though he has sometimes taken questions from reporters
spontaneously when the mood strikes.
While the
issue of political prisoners is hugely important to Cuban-Americans and
the international community, most people on the island are more
concerned about the shortage of goods and their struggles with local
bureaucracy.
Castro appeared agitated at times during the questioning, professing to not understand whether inquiries were directed to him.
But
when an American reporter asked about political prisoners in Cuba, he
pushed back aggressively, saying if the journalist could offer names of
anyone improperly imprisoned, "they will be released before tonight
ends."
"What political prisoners? Give me a name or names," Castro said.
Cuba
has been criticized for briefly detaining demonstrators thousands of
times a year but has drastically reduced its practice of handing down
long prison sentences for crimes human rights groups consider to be
political. Cuba released dozens of prisoners as part of its deal to
normalize relations with the U.S., and in a recent report, Amnesty
International did not name any current prisoners of conscience in Cuba.
Ben
Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser, said the U.S.
regularly raises specific cases and some are resolved, but added Cuba
typically insists they're being held for other crimes. Rhodes said,
"I've shared many lists with the Cuban government."
Obama's
and Castro's comments were broadcast live on state television, which is
tightly controlled by the government and the Communist Party.
At
an outdoor cafe in Havana, about a dozen Cubans and tourists watched in
awed silence. One woman held her hand to her mouth in shock.
"It's
very significant to hear this from our president, for him to recognize
that not all human rights are respected in Cuba," said Raul Rios, a
47-year-old driver.
Ricardo Herrera, a 45-year-old street food vendor said, "It's like a movie but based on real life."
After responding to a handful of questions, Castro ended the news conference abruptly, declaring, "I think this is enough."
Obama
then appeared to lean in to pat Castro on the back. In an awkward
moment, the Cuban leader instead grabbed Obama's arm and lifted it up as
the U.S. president's wrist dangled, an image that immediately grabbed
attention on social media.
White House
officials said Obama did not plan to meet with Fidel Castro, the older
brother of the Cuban president and his predecessor in office, hoping to
keep the visit focused on the future of the island. Rhodes, the White
House adviser, said there were also other considerations, including
Castro's "health issues."
Obama, in an
interview with ABC News, said he has no problem with such a meeting
"just as a symbol of the end of this Cold War chapter."
Obama's
visit to Cuba is a crowning moment in his and Raul Castro's bid to
normalize ties between two countries that sit just 90 miles apart. The
U.S. leader traveled with his family and was taking in the sights in Old
Havana and attending a baseball game between the beloved Cuban national
team and the Tampa Bay Rays of America's American League.
Several
American business leaders joined Obama on the trip, many eager to gain a
foothold on the island nation. Technology giant Google announced plans
to open a cutting-edge online technology center offering free Internet
at speeds nearly 70 times faster than those now available to the Cuban
public. Obama said Google's efforts in Cuba are part of a wider plan to
improve access to the Internet across the island.
While
Castro has welcomed increased economic ties, he insisted his country
would still suffer as long as the American economic embargo was in
place. Obama has called on Congress to lift the blockade, but lawmakers
have not held a vote on the repeal.
Obama's
visit is being closely watched in the United States, where public
opinion has shifted in support of normalized relations with Cuba. Still,
many Republicans - including some hoping to succeed Obama as president -
have vowed to roll back the diplomatic opening if elected.
Castro
was asked by an American reporter whether he favored the election of
Republican front-runner Donald Trump or likely Democratic nominee
Hillary Clinton.
Castro smiled and said simply, "I cannot vote in the United States."
