More than a month after U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuba President Raul Castro announced the renewed diplomatic relations between the two countries, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has finally commented on the developments.

In a letter read published in the Cuban newspaper Granma, the former Cuban leader wrote he did not communicate with the U.S. in regards to the renewed diplomatic ties. Despite his silence on the matter, he did not oppose efforts to resolve issues with the U.S.

"I don't trust the policy of the United States, nor have I exchanged a word with them, but this does not mean I reject a pacific solution to the conflicts," Fidel wrote, in Spanish, adding that any peaceful or negotiated solution between the U.S. and anyone from Latin America should not involve force and be treated by the same international principles and standards.

"We will always defend cooperation and friendship with all the people of the world, including with our political adversaries."

According to Granma, Fidel finished writing his letter at 12:35 p.m., local time, on Monday.

Fidel was the leader of Cuba until he relinquished his role to his younger brother Raul. Leading up to and since the older Castro brother's resignation as leader, Fidel has been the speculation of death rumors. After the U.S. and Cuba announced the normalization of relations, rumors of Castro's death circulated again. TeleSur, a television station from Venezuela, debunked the latest death rumors after Castro wrote a letter to soccer legend Diego Maradona. According to Maradona, Fidel's health is good and the letter represents his positive health condition.

Since the Dec. 17, 2014, announcement by Obama and current Cuban leader Raul Castro, the U.S. Department of Commerce and Treasury Department have issued amendments to the Assets Control Regulations (CACR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The amendments are primarily about the travel plans for authorized individuals going to Cuba.

As Latin Post reported, authorized people will be allowed to travel to Cuba if they qualify for one of 12 categories, which include family visits, official business by the U.S. government and select intergovernmental organizations, journalistic activity, education activity and humanitarian projects.

"[The amendments] takes us one step closer to replacing out of date policies that were not working and puts in place a policy that helps promote political and economic freedom for the Cuban people. These revised regulations, together with those issued by the Commerce Department, will implement the policies on easing sanctions related to travel, remittances, trade, and banking announced by the President on Dec. 17," Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said.

Although amendments were issued, the Cuban embargo still remains and can only be lifted by the U.S. Congress.

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