The White House is expecting a historical visit by the Cuban leader Raul Castro any time soon after 53 years of conflict between the two countries, the White House Spokesperson Josh Earnest said Thursday. The visit came in the framework of the two countries plan to normalize their relations and create new cooperation ties in different fields. "I wouldn't rule out a visit from President Castro," Earnest said after one day of Obama's historic speech, in which he announced restoring ties and opening the embassies in the two countries. He explained the decision of Obama that by meeting such leaders, like Cuba and Burma, the United States can better influence countries to respect universal human rights. Moreover, Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson revealed recently that she would travel to Havana, the Cuban capital, late January in a bid to start a new era with Cuba and activate the initiative of president Obama. Last Cuban leader visited the United States was Fidel Castro, Raul's predecessor, in 1959 to hold talks with the Council on Foreign Relations and in later years addressed the United Nations, but the American diplomats visited Cuba several times over the years, to coordinate efforts of the two countries over immigration, drug interdiction and oil-spill mitigation, according to France 24.
