U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed he will visit Cuba to formally reopen America's embassy in Havana. Some Latino politicians are not thrilled with the policy announcement.

"The reopening of our embassy, I will tell you, is an important step on the road to restoring fully normal relations between the United States and Cuba," said Kerry during a trip in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday. "Coming a quarter of a century after the end of the Cold War, it recognizes the reality of the changed circumstances, and it will serve to meet a number of practical needs."

As President Barack Obama noted during his late Wednesday morning address, Kerry reiterated there are still "sharp differences" with Cuba in regards to democracy and human rights. Kerry said that there are areas the two countries found common ground for cooperation, including transportation, emergency response, environmental protection, telecommunication and migration.

According to Kerry, the U.S. policy change toward Cuba was Obama's personal decision, and Cuba President Raul Castro agreed that "it was time for a change."

"Both leaders agree that concentrating on the issues and possibilities of the future is far more productive than remaining mired in the past...This step has been long overdue, and the response of the international community has reflected the relief and the welcoming that people all over the world feel for this step," continued Kerry.

The secretary of state said he looks forward to meeting his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez, who he has previously met.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., one of 14 Republican presidential candidates, claimed the Obama administration offered concessions while Castro's government continued to repress people.

"The [Obama] administration's reported plan to restore diplomatic relations is one such prized concession to the Castro regime," said Rubio in a statement. "It remains unclear what, if anything, has been achieved since the president's Dec. 17 announcement in terms of securing the return of U.S. fugitives being harbored in Cuba, settling outstanding legal claims to U.S. citizens for properties confiscated by the regime, and in obtaining the unequivocal right of our diplomats to travel freely throughout Cuba and meet with any dissidents, and most importantly, securing greater political freedoms for the Cuban people.

"I intend to oppose the confirmation of an ambassador to Cuba until these issues are addressed. It is time for our unilateral concessions to this odious regime to end."

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., said the reopening of embassies is part of another Obama failed policy and appeases to brutal dictators who threaten U.S. interests.

"It is an utter disgrace that the administration has removed human rights and America's security from the President's foreign policy agenda. The Castro regime has increased its oppression of human rights and pro-democracy activists in the wake of President Obama's ceaseless overtures," Diaz-Balart said. "If a Cuban embassy opens in Washington, it will not represent the Cuban people. It will represent the Cuban intelligence services that perpetuate human rights abuses against the Cuban people."

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, another Republican presidential candidate, said Obama's policy is an "unconditional surrender" to the Castros. Cruz stated he will block any nominee wishing to become ambassador to Cuba and disapprove funds for the U.S. embassy in Havana.

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