by Keith Richmond
Relations between Cuba and the United States have turned frosty again – with foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla accusing Barack Obama of behaving like an “imperial chief”.
When Mr Obama moved into the White House one year ago, there was optimism that the 50-year hostile standoff between the two countries might be about to end and the US trade embargo be lifted. There was an initial thaw between Washington and Havana, with positive noises being made by both sides, but Cuban diplomats now fear the US is dragging its heels on substantive moves, preferring to wait until Raúl Castro, 78, who took over from his brother Fidel in 2006, dies and the revolution, the Americans believe, will crumble.
The two countries have postponed talks opened at the start of the Obama administration about migration, postal services and other issues. Ricardo Alarcón, president of Cuba’s National Assembly, said: “As things appear now, there will be no big change in the relationship in the near future.”
