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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US and Cuba seek to normalise ties | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| US and Cuba are to start talks to normalise diplomatic ties in a historic shift in relations between the two countries, say US officials. | |
| The US is also looking to open an embassy in Havana in the coming months. | |
| The moves are part of a deal that saw the release of American Alan Gross by Cuba and includes the release of three Cubans jailed in Florida for spying. | The moves are part of a deal that saw the release of American Alan Gross by Cuba and includes the release of three Cubans jailed in Florida for spying. |
| US President Barack Obama will later hail the "most significant changes in US policy towards Cuba in 50 years". | |
| Mr Gross, 65, has spent five years behind bars after being accused of subversion, for trying to bring internet services to communities in Cuba. | Mr Gross, 65, has spent five years behind bars after being accused of subversion, for trying to bring internet services to communities in Cuba. |
| He earlier left Cuba on a US government plane and was freed on humanitarian grounds. | He earlier left Cuba on a US government plane and was freed on humanitarian grounds. |
| His arrest and imprisonment had undermined attempts to thaw diplomatic relations between the two countries. | His arrest and imprisonment had undermined attempts to thaw diplomatic relations between the two countries. |
| The three Cubans released in the US are part of the so-called Cuban Five convicted of spying. | The three Cubans released in the US are part of the so-called Cuban Five convicted of spying. |
| Prosecutors said the five had sought to infiltrate US military bases and spied on Cuban exiles in Florida. | Prosecutors said the five had sought to infiltrate US military bases and spied on Cuban exiles in Florida. |
| Two were recently allowed to return to Cuba after finishing their sentences. | Two were recently allowed to return to Cuba after finishing their sentences. |
| Key dates | Key dates |
| 2001: Five Cubans, dubbed the Cuban Five, are convicted in Miami and given long sentences for spying for the Cuban government. Their case becomes a rallying cry for the Havana government | 2001: Five Cubans, dubbed the Cuban Five, are convicted in Miami and given long sentences for spying for the Cuban government. Their case becomes a rallying cry for the Havana government |
| 2008: Raul Castro officially takes over as Cuban president. Washington calls for free and fair elections, and says its trade embargo will remain | 2008: Raul Castro officially takes over as Cuban president. Washington calls for free and fair elections, and says its trade embargo will remain |
| Dec 2009: US citizen Alan Gross detained in Cuba accused of spying for Washington | Dec 2009: US citizen Alan Gross detained in Cuba accused of spying for Washington |
| Oct 2011: One of the Cuban Five, Rene Gonzalez, is freed as scheduled from a Florida jail | Oct 2011: One of the Cuban Five, Rene Gonzalez, is freed as scheduled from a Florida jail |
| Dec 2013: US President Barack Obama and Raul Castro shake hands at Nelson Mandela's funeral - the first such public gesture since the 1959 revolution | Dec 2013: US President Barack Obama and Raul Castro shake hands at Nelson Mandela's funeral - the first such public gesture since the 1959 revolution |
| Feb 2014: The second of the Cuban Five, Fernando Gonzalez, is freed after completing his sentence | Feb 2014: The second of the Cuban Five, Fernando Gonzalez, is freed after completing his sentence |
| 17 December 2014: Alan Gross is released by Cuba after five years in captivity | 17 December 2014: Alan Gross is released by Cuba after five years in captivity |