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Hazleton Residents React to Relations Change with Cuba

HAZLETON — President Obama made a major announcement on live television Wednesday afternoon regarding relations with Cuba. He is lifting the 50-year embar...

HAZLETON -- President Obama made a major announcement on live television Wednesday afternoon regarding relations with Cuba.

He is lifting the 50-year embargo with the country and it began with a prisoner swap involving Alan Gross. Gross is a government worker who has been held in captivity in Cuba for five years.

Some members of the Cuban community in our area are thrilled that this is happening.

"I'm very excited. It's wonderful news. We can go visit my family and hopefully take cruises," said Ivette Trent of Benton. "Hopefully they'll be back eventually, right?"

"What I believe about Obama's decision to improve relations with Cuba and the U. S. economically, is that it will greatly benefit both countries, especially Cuba that needs first world goods like petroleum and food. It's a very expensive product of the blockade," said Scranton resident Andreas Hurtado through a translator.

Restoring relations with Cuba means Americans would be able to travel to Cuba again and do business with the country.

The U.S. will also establish an embassy in Cuba.

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