“I’m under no illusion about the continued barriers to freedom that remain for various Cubans.”

“The US government believes that no Cubans should be subjected to arrest or beatings simply [for their beliefs]. Cuban workers should be free to form unions” 

“It does not serve America’s interest or the Cuban people to try to push the Cuban government to collapse. … [we know that it’s more likely to achieve] lasting transformation if their people are not subjected to chaos.”

“We can never erase the history,” Obama goes on, but the US and Cuba can move forward.

“Cubans have a saying, ‘No es facil,’’ it’s not easy, but today the United States wantst obe a partner in making the lives of ordinary Cubans a little bit easier, more free, more prosperous

“In particular I want to thank his holiness Pope Francis, for [trying to make the world] as it should be, rather than as it is.”

He also thanks his State Department team and diplomatic players who were involved.

“Todos somos Americanos. … today America chooses to cut loose the shackles of the past. For the Cuban people, for the American people, for the hemisphere and for the world.”

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