Cuban President Raul Castro on Wednesday praised President Barack Obama's moves to restore relations with the communist regime and urged him "to use 'executive action' to lift congressionally imposed sanctions on Cuba,"
USA Today's Gregory Korte reports.
Castro hailed the restoration of diplomatic relations with Washington as evidence that Cuba can resolve problems diplomatically "without renouncing … even one of our principles," and said the changes would help with "the actualization of our economic model to construct a prosperous and sustainable socialism."
The Communist strongman said Obama's decision to lift the embargo "deserves the respect and recognition of our people." At the same time, however, Castro emphasized that in Havana's view, the onus is on Obama to lift any remaining sanctions, and he urged the U.S. leader to act unilaterally.
"The economic, commercial, and financial blockade that provokes enormous human and economic damage to our nation must cease," he demanded.
"Even though the measures of the blockade have been made by law, the president of the United States can modify their application through his executive powers," he added, according to a translation provided by
Breitbart.
Castro's call for Obama to take executive action is in part a recognition that winning congressional approval for the olive branch toward Havana would be an uphill battle at best, as evidenced by the reaction of Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday.
Republican Sen.
Marco Rubio, for example, called Obama's action a mistake and vowed to do all he could to block it on Capitol Hill.
Some members of the president's own party voiced objection as well.
"I think it stinks," Senate Foreign Relations Chairman
Robert Menendez said when asked about Obama's actions.
"I think it's wrong. I am deeply disappointed in the president," the New Jersey Democrat said.
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