Obama to Havana? Would ‘Relish’ Cuba Trip

Alan Gross got a standing ovation during the State of the Union Address. He was freed after 5 years in a Cuban prison. Obama now wants to visit Havana. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Alan Gross got a standing ovation during the State of the Union Address. He was freed after 5 years in a Cuban prison. Obama now wants to visit Havana. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
By Steven T. Dennis
Posted May 21, 2015 at 3:05pm

President Barack Obama’s bucket list for his remaining time in office has at least one sunny destination on it: Havana, Cuba.  

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told a reporter in town from Cuba that the president “would relish the opportunity” to visit Havana in 2016.  

Earlier, Earnest welcomed the reporter to the United States and the White House. In response to other questions, he said one area of discussion regarding the president’s plans to reopen diplomatic ties with Cuba involves ensuring access by American diplomats to the Cuban people.  

Obama has lifted some travel restrictions. And the president, a former smoker, has also loosened rules on bringing Cuban cigars back from the island.  


The 114th: CQ Roll Call’s Guide to the New Congress


Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.