By Juan Soto

Borough elected officials applauded President Barack Obama’s announcement to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba after five-decades of restrictions and an embargo.

“This is a historic moment which will take both our countries in a new and more positive direction after over five decades of severed diplomatic relations,” said U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica).

He pointed out that the U.S. policy towards Cuba, which began in 1961, “has left us out of sync with our neighbors in the region, has blocked investment and trade opportunities, has kept families apart and has done nothing to change Cuba’s politics.”

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) also praised Obama’s decision.

“This decision is long overdue and it will be mutually beneficial to the United States and Cuba,” Maloney said. “We gave the strategy of isolation and embargo more than five decades to work, and it provide no utility in achieving our objectives.”

And Nydia Velázquez (D-Brooklyn) said the change of policy “is an important step in the right direction.” She added, “I strongly commend him [Obama] for adopting this new approach. It is my hope that these steps will help lead to a freer, more prosperous Cuba.”

Juan Soto