The trade embargo remains, but U.S. relations with Cuba took a step further this week as President Obama announced the countries have agreed to open embassies in each other’s country.
The L.A. Times reports the diplomatic development is the most authoritative move the Obama administration can make unilaterally without an act of Congress, which still holds the power to lift or retain the Cuban economic embargo that has been in place for decades.
The move comes six months after the President ordered the opening of normalized relations with Cuba.
Lawmakers could still put up hurdles to a fully operational U.S. embassy opening in Cuba.
The Republican-led Senate could block the confirmation of a new ambassador, and lawmakers in both chambers have threatened to deny full funding for an embassy.
