U.S. Cuba Thaw
- Americans were taken by surprise when on Dec. 17 2014 when they learned that Alan Gross of Maryland would be freed after five years of imprisonment in Cuba.
- The Obama administration was normalizing relations with the communist island nation after more than five decades of an ever-tightening embargo and frosty Cold War-era ties.
-After 18 months of secret talks hosted by Canada, Canada had the influential and support of Pope Francis.
- A new era was created with the Caribbean country that will include opening an embassy in Havana, expanding the list of goods for export to Cuba (a long-sought after business market), raising the limits on remittances and reviewing the country's designation as a state sponsor of terror. U.S. opponents of the Castro regime denounced the move, but many looked to benefit from the détente, including Major League Baseball, Cuban cigar makers and everyday Americans.