Havana Stunned By Kerry Speech, But Skeptical Of Change

The sight was so unlikely that some Cubans could scarcely believe it: a U.S. secretary of state lecturing their Communist government about democracy and human rights on state television.

As the U.S. flag was raised at America’s embassy in Havana for the first time in 54 years, John Kerry called for a “genuine democracy” in Cuba and his comments were broadcast across the country in full, translated accurately into Spanish so everyone could understand.

Cubans should be free to choose their own leaders, Kerry said, telling the government to respect international norms of human rights.