Sunday, March 20, 2016

Dissidents Arrested As Obama Sets Off For Historic Cuba Visit

Obama’s visit to the Communist nation is the first by a sitting U.S. president in 88 years.

President Obama set off from Washington, D.C., on Air Force One on Sunday afternoon, bound for Cuba, in a historic visit that comes amid warmer relations between the two former Cold War foes.

President Obama set off from Washington, D.C., on Air Force One on Sunday afternoon, bound for Cuba, in a historic visit that comes amid warmer relations between the two former Cold War foes.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

Obama will meet with President Raúl Castro during his two-day visit, but will not meet with former leader Fidel Castro, the current president's brother and the revolutionary strongman who led Cuba from 1959-2008.

The president and first lady will also attend a state dinner, as well as a Major League Baseball exhibition game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cuba's national team.

Dozens of U.S. lawmakers and business leaders have joined Obama on the trip, which is the first by a sitting U.S. president to Cuba since Calvin Coolidge visited 88 years ago.

Obama's flight is scheduled to land at 4:50 p.m. ET.

Hours before the president was set to touch down in Havana, however, authorities rounded up dissidents who held an anti-regime protest in the Cuban capital.

Hours before the president was set to touch down in Havana, however, authorities rounded up dissidents who held an anti-regime protest in the Cuban capital.

Adalberto Roque / AFP / Getty Images

Around 50 members and supporters of the Ladies in White group were detained by police outside a church where the group holds weekly demonstrations, the Associated Press reported.

Around 50 members and supporters of the Ladies in White group were detained by police outside a church where the group holds weekly demonstrations, the Associated Press reported.

Adalberto Roque / AFP / Getty Images


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SOURCE: BuzzFeed

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