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In a special episode of the Pangea podcast—in partnership with the Council of American Ambassadors Diplomatic Courier, and the Meridian International Center—Ambassador John Maisto, who served as U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua and Venezuela under President Bill Clinton, shares observations from his recent trip to Cuba and delivers insights on the changing relations between the United States and Cuba.
An edited transcript with highlights from the interview—which was conducted by Ambassador James C. Rosapepe—follows.
QUESTION: You and your colleagues [at the Council of American Ambassadors] visited Cuba recently. It was your third visit in three years and obviously you know the region very well. On this trip you met with officials and ordinary people. What were your major impressions?
MAISTO: Cuba is a fascinating place. I think we are going to see a lot more Americans going to Cuba—and that’s a good thing. Overriding impressions? Number one: there is no problem between the Cuban people and America. None whatsoever. ... There is no resentment that is palpable. What you get is a desire to be closer to the United States, even from people who represent the policy of the government in power in Cuba.
On negotiations to restore diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba:
MAISTO: It’s going to be very difficult—when you get down to the nitty-gritty, negotiations are always difficult—but the overriding feeling among Cubans from all walks of Cuban society with whom the group met was one of hope. They see change coming, they want change to take place, and they want a normal relationship with the United States that full diplomatic relations represent. So the first hurdle is going to be to simply open up full-fledged embassies in both countries. … The American trait is always, let’s focus on the now and what’s coming. There’s an old adage in Latin America. The Latins never forget history and the Americans seldom remember history.
On areas of cooperation:
MAISTO: There is another thing we can and should do—cooperating in areas with which we have no real deep differences. For example, our Coast Guards, environmental cooperation and the seas—everybody is interested in that sort of thing. Anti-narcotics work (the Cubans have a strong anti-narcotics policy), air safety, migration and trafficking in persons. These are things that, piece by piece, we can get our arms around and they will create a better atmosphere for dealing with other issues.
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
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Ambassador: Cubans Desire to be Closer to the United States
Panoramic view of Havana street with crumbling buildings and old classic car
June 11, 2015
In a special episode of the Pangea podcast—in partnership with the Council of American Ambassadors Diplomatic Courier, and the Meridian International Center—Ambassador John Maisto, who served as U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua and Venezuela under President Bill Clinton, shares observations from his recent trip to Cuba and delivers insights on the changing relations between the United States and Cuba.
An edited transcript with highlights from the interview—which was conducted by Ambassador James C. Rosapepe—follows.
QUESTION: You and your colleagues [at the Council of American Ambassadors] visited Cuba recently. It was your third visit in three years and obviously you know the region very well. On this trip you met with officials and ordinary people. What were your major impressions?
MAISTO: Cuba is a fascinating place. I think we are going to see a lot more Americans going to Cuba—and that’s a good thing. Overriding impressions? Number one: there is no problem between the Cuban people and America. None whatsoever. ... There is no resentment that is palpable. What you get is a desire to be closer to the United States, even from people who represent the policy of the government in power in Cuba.
On negotiations to restore diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba:
MAISTO: It’s going to be very difficult—when you get down to the nitty-gritty, negotiations are always difficult—but the overriding feeling among Cubans from all walks of Cuban society with whom the group met was one of hope. They see change coming, they want change to take place, and they want a normal relationship with the United States that full diplomatic relations represent. So the first hurdle is going to be to simply open up full-fledged embassies in both countries. … The American trait is always, let’s focus on the now and what’s coming. There’s an old adage in Latin America. The Latins never forget history and the Americans seldom remember history.
On areas of cooperation:
MAISTO: There is another thing we can and should do—cooperating in areas with which we have no real deep differences. For example, our Coast Guards, environmental cooperation and the seas—everybody is interested in that sort of thing. Anti-narcotics work (the Cubans have a strong anti-narcotics policy), air safety, migration and trafficking in persons. These are things that, piece by piece, we can get our arms around and they will create a better atmosphere for dealing with other issues.
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
