Updated 08:37 PM EST, Sat, Nov 23, 2024

President Obama Avoids Pressing Issues in Latin America in State of the Union Address

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During his last State of the Union (SOTU) address on Tuesday, President Barack Obama has called for an end on the blockade in Cuba, but some still observed that many issues in Latin America were not touched on.

Daily Caller noted that Obama's statement on Cuba is in contrast with the human rights issues that happened in the country.

It cited the 2014 incident where a US missile targeting Germany ended up in the country.

"Obama did not discuss this event in his State of the Union," added the same report.

Aside from this, Daily Caller said that there was also no mention of the 300 local protesters in the country who were put behind bars after they called for the release of the political prisoners.

Another issue that seemed to have been sidelined by Obama in his SOTU was the ruling of the Venezuela Socialist Supreme Court, which declared void all actions of the National Assembly until the removal of three banned legislators.

These lawmakers have reportedly been involved in poll irregularities last December.

When Obama delivered his last SOTU, Miami CBS said he highlighted his plans for Cuba.

"Fifty years of isolating Cuba had failed to promote democracy, setting us back in Latin America. That's why we restored diplomatic relations, opened the door to travel and commerce, and positioned ourselves to improve the lives of the Cuban people," he said.

Obama also noted that for the country to be able to consolidate their leadership and credibility, they should recognize that the Cold War is over.

It was added in the Miami CBS report that the US President has also utilised his "executive authority" to ease the embargo on the country in an effort to restore relations with the South American country.

Last month, it was reported that regular commercial flights from the United States and Cuba and vice versa, may soon be restored, with an impending deal between the two nations.

This move is believed to be an important step to the restoration of diplomatic relations between the former enemies which started last year.

This development reportedly came after a 50 percent surge was noted this year in the travel between the US and Cuba.

According to an Associated Press report published by US News, this step will also strengthen economic ties between US and Cuba.

US officials hope that more than 12 flights will travel from the US to Cuba regularly, but it is still unclear if these will already replace the charter flights currently available for travellers.

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