An historic press conference between Presidents Raúl Castro and Barack Obama took place on Saturday, 11th April during the Summit of the Americas in Panama. It marked the first meeting between a president of Cuba and the US for more than 50 years, and Cuba’s first ever attendance.

Addressing the Summit, Castro called for an end to the US blockade against his country which he said harmed his people and was a “violation of international law.”

In his 49 minute speech – which he joked was because Cuba had been excluded from six previous Summits, therefore deserved six times the recommended length – he summarised the history of US attacks on Cuba, but praised President Obama for vowing to end the blockade who he said was not to blame for the US legacy. “While the blockade exists ... we have to keep fighting and support President Obama in his intentions to end the blockade,” he said.

The two presidents also met for an hour outside the Summit and took part in a press conference during which Obama told the world’s media: "This shift in US policy represents a turning point for our entire region,” adding, “I can say with all sincerity that the essence of my policy is that the people of Cuba can live in freedom and security where their talents and ingenuity can thrive.”

”We are willing to discuss everything, but we need to be patient, very patient,” said President Castro in response. “We might disagree on something today on which we could agree tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, the official Civil Society Forums running parallel to the main Summit were marred by accusations that the US was paying for ‘dissidents’ with no following in Cuba to represent Cuban civil society in meetings.

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