Marines could deploy to Havana following diplomatic thaw

Marines could deploy to Havana following diplomatic thaw

By James K. Sanborn, Staff writer 10:44 a.m. EDT June 6, 2015

The recent thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations could soon open a new choice tropical assignment for Marines.
Marine and diplomatic officials are tight-lipped on where negotiations to open embassies in Washington and Havana stand, but one preeminent Cuba expert says he expects an announcement in as little as a month.

It was rumored that Secretary of State John Kerry "wanted to go open it himself, but I'm not sure if that will be delayed now that he isn't so mobile," said William LeoGrande a professor of government at American University's School of Public Affairs. He was referring to Kerry's May 31 bike accident in France, in which he broke his right leg.

In January, the Obama administration announced it would normalize relations with Cuba and on May 29, the State Department removed the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. The actions paved the way for Marine security guards to return to the island-nation for the first time in more than half a century.

. . .

When Marines get the go-ahead, a lucky few will be the first to raise a U.S. flag over an embassy compound there since it was hastily lowered it in January, 1961. As diplomatic ties were severed with Cuba's communist government two years after rebels led by Fidel Castro toppled dictator Fulgencio Batista, Marines got the call to destroy classified information, case the colors and leave the country.

More:
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/06/06/marines-may-be-posted-in-havana-following-diplomatic-thaw/28485713/