charlie rangel is in havana right now. why are you in havana right now? was here to exchange advancements that have been made here in relation to the treatment of diabetes. i was here with other members of congress and we've been concerned about normalization and they said don't talk about it. something is going to happen. i have never been more proud of being an american. the cuban people are dancing in the street and so many members of congress and americans are proud of the president for taking this historic position. >> what do you say to those lawmakers, your colleagues, not all republicans, some democrats, who think the united states should not make these kinds of concessions to what they describe as this brutal repressive regime in havanhavan. >> you know, we're doing business with vietnam. we're doing business with china. and certainly we don't have the same standards there. i know as it relates to the fight on terrorism, this solidifies people in our he hemispear. it appears that it appears the president of cuba had more respect for our president

she was born in havana and fled to the u.s. with her parents more than 40 years ago. >> we want the island to be free. we're only 90 miles away from the coast of florida. and our people suffer on a daily basis. they need everything. so i really hope that what's happening now it's the beginning, you know, of really close freedom for my people. >> reporter: and old and young cuban-american or not, there is some common ground here, everyone seeming to be pleased that alan gross is free as now everyone here, the shouting matches are no doubt just getting started. brian? >> jacob rascon in the little havana section of miami for us tonight. jacob, thanks. >>> there is breaking news tonight on this ongoing electronic attack on sony pictures. nbc news has confirmed the feds have determined who is to blame, and they are ready to name north korea as the instigators of this. the news comes as the studio has pulled out of the christmas day release of the film "the interview," the movie that sparked the threats of violence. nbc's joe friar

>> that's right, in havana.ed -- 70 came in and had picked up a news release that alan gross was being released. access towe had early the fact sheet coming out of the white house on what actually was going to be done. i want to compliment the obama administration ongoing much larger and further than any of us expected it would go. there was a hope and expectation the obama administration would do some things in the new year, but i must say thanks to his national security team, they did go further. renewing diplomatic relations, a commitment to renew cuba's inclusion on the terrorist list -- which will conclude in six months. i think it is pretty much understood that cuba will be taken off. the thing that most interest me is the embargo, the commercial embargo on cuba and how far the administration will go. it is a little unclear. they talk about rule makings with the treasury department and commerce department. you can see the broad outline and what they're doing. if all's under the heading of adjusting the reg

if you want to go to havana, you can go. but if they do lift the restrictions i suspect the spigot will be opened, and it will be tremendous. >> what is your view, david, yes, you have chinese firms, but those are partnerships with the cuban government. it's much like the administration in the way egypt used to be in which the army is filtered throughout the economy. it would be very interesting to see how american country open up down the road. >> maybe they'll invest more but it will line more the pockets of the military, the military controlling the hotels, the government being essentially running the hotel and the tourism business is not going to change. >> right, that's the point of it. to see the systemic change that everyone is alluding to, this is going to take an act of congress. you can loosen restrictions, trade, direct mail, but to strike it through the core of this issue it's a decision really of the american people. >> as we drove down in the policy of all of this, this, of course, was a very personal story for

good to see you, tell me about your reactions in havana today. >> the people in havana are so excited. i'm so proud to be an american. they're happy that this is going to allow them to become closer friends of america, and i'm happy because it means that we'll have a stronger country with the support that cuba can give us in the hemisphere. >> and we've heard from critics, marco rubio, mendes, what do you sty some of your colleagues in the house and senate who are going to fight this so hard? there's a lot the president can do administrativadministrativel bigger issue is the embargo, eventually, do you think it should ever be lifted? >> of course. it's not individuals that have emotional ties to cuba that dictate our national foreign policy, it's the president of the united states. and it pains know hear members of congress insult the president. the president is doing what he has been elected to do, and that is to do what's best for the united states of america and not for a couple of people who have strong, emotional ties against castro. of course we have to take these things under c

in havana, castro acknowledged the historic breakthrough. he said, "the progress made in our exchanges proves that it is possible to find solutions to many problems." the u.s. will build an embassy in havana, and the administration is already lifting certain travel and trade restrictions with cuba, but, scott, only congress can fully eliminate all commercial barriers between the two countries, and the white house admits that will be an uphill political battle. >> pelley: major, thank you very much. alan gross was held here in cuba for more than five years, and with more on his story, we go to our state department correspondent, margaret brennan. >> an elated alan gross was s bbed by well-wishers after landing just outside washington, d.c. a devout jew, gross later told reporters he felt blessed. >> today is the first day of hanukkah, and i guess so far it's the best hanukkah that i've celebrated in a long time. >> reporter: the former government contractor said he didn't believe it when his lawyer called yesterday to say his five-year ordeal

>> pelley: tonight from havana, >> pelley: tonight from havana, where the world changed overnight, cubans stuck in the past are now looking toward a future without an embargo. >> the average cuban is ecstatic. >> pelley: and u.s. corporations are ready to make a 90-mile dash for dollars. the white house considers what it calls a proportionate response to the cyber attack against sony, and there's angry reaction to the decision to pull "the interview" after a terror threat. >> i think it's a coward way to go out. >> pelley: most americans are enjoying those falling gas prices, but manuel bojorquez reports they could cost tens of thousands of people their jobs. and a sign of changing times in cuba. captioning sponsored by cbs this is the "cbs evening news" with scott pelley reporting tonight from havana, cuba. >> pelley: good evening. this is our western edition. today, u.s. corporations have lined up behind the new opening to cuba. mastercard, cisco, marriott, pepsi, caterpillar and major league baseball all expressed interest in doing business here. it won't happen overnight, but cubans h

america will open an embassy in havana. as cuban's president points out the economic embargo remains in place. . >> translation: the economic and commercial embargo should end. >> the world reacts tonight. we begin in the center of cuban american lights, miami, there's more cubans living in florida than anywhere else in the u.s. morgan radford studied in cuba and joins us from havana. >> that's right. as you said, i'm in the heart of little havana, in front of cafes. and you have people from both sides of the aisle arguing about the big question - where do we go from here. a lot of people carry signs saying "you betrayed us", you promised one thing and delivered another. there's a handful saying that president obama did the right thing. i want to show an interaction between someone who said president obama got it right, and someone who said president obama it had long >> another bad deal, president obama, your president. >> reporter: why. >> the same thing he did when he released one american soldier for four high-ranking t

she joins us from little havana. morgan. >> here i am in the heart of little havana in front of cafe versailles. where do we go from here? it's interesting, a lot of people are behind me are carrying signs, obama you promised us one thing and gave us another. i want to give you a reaction from someone who said obama got it right and someone who says obama got it wrong. >> another very bad deal. >> why? >> the same thing he did you remember when he released one american soldier for four high ranking taliban murders. today he released three convicted murders, here in miami's spies, cuban spies for what, for one person? >> you're wearing this obama tee shirt. do you think what happened today was a good move on the president's part? >> definitely. i think it will be historic. i cry when i see obama's speech it was so moving. he talked to the people in cuba, people o of cuba. about freedom of expression all these things we're seeing in cuba today. >> john it's interesting because the woman you saw speaking there came here

brian. >> mark potter in havana tonight. thanks to you and that beautiful bel aire for our tour. >>> wall street just had the best day of the year, in fact the best day in three years. the dow finishing up over 400 points for the first time since november of 2011. good day for the nasdaq and s&p as well. both finished well into positive territory. all this on news that the federal reserve is not planning to raise interest rates, at least in the near future. >>> still ahead, on a thursday evening a rough ride for the company attempting to transform the way so many americans get around. increasing concerns about the safety of uber. >>> also, winning spirit. something extraordinary happened when a 9-year-old boy was recruited by a college basketball team. >>> we are back with a story about new concerns tonight for uber, one of the nation's fastest growing companies. the car service and taxi alternative now in 70 cities across the country. 260 cities worldwide. and with that rapid expansion comes increasing concern about safety.

we'll hear from a top cuban official in havana. we'll get her response to what chris christie is demanding. stay with us. get ready for some german engineered holiday excitement. at the volkswagen sign-then-drive event. right now, for practically just your signature, you could drive home for the holidays in a new volkswagen. like the sporty, advanced new jetta and the precisely engineered passat tdi. ah, the gift of clean diesel. for the new volkswagen on your list this year, just about all you need, is a pen. festive, isn't it? get zero due at signing, zero down, zero deposit, and zero first month's payment on select new volkswagen models. and cialis for daily useor you. helps you be ready anytime the moment is right. cialis is also the only daily ed tablet approved to treat symptoms of bph, like needing to go frequently. tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medicines, and ask if your heart is healthy enough for sex. do not take cialis if you take nitrates for chest pain, as it may cause an unsafe drop in blood p

it won't happen overnight, but cubans here in havana are just as eager. in terms of u.s. relation, it's been 54 years that they've been frozen in time. for all any cuban can tell, detroit hasn't made a car since 1961. chevys and fords familiar to eisenhower and sinatra live forever thanks to a uniquely cuban industry, counterfeiting new parts from designs of the '50s. nearly everyone in havana is ready to move on. >> the average cuban is ecstatic. they're euphoric. they believe that this is a new beginning for cuba. >> pelley: alberto cole is a professor of international law at depaul university in chicago, a specialist in cuba, he moved to the u.s. as a child in 1961 when castro imprisoned his father. i wonder how today the average cubans' aspirations have changed? >> there will be lots more opportunities for the economy to grow, for americans to come here to, trade, to visit, to invest and the develop all kinds of exchanges that will benefit the people here and give this small country of 11 million people a terrific opportunity. >> pelley: after five decades of a trade

alina, in little havana, reporting for us, patrick oppmann reporting from havana, not little havana, havana, cuba, thanks very much. up next the super secret meetings that led to a historic agreement between the united states and cuba. who would have believed it? how did it come together in the moments that made a critical difference in getting a jailed american released. i've had moderate to severe plaque psoriasis most my life. but that hasn't stopped me from modeling. my doctor told me about stelara®. it helps keep my skin clearer. with only 4 doses a year after 2 starter doses... ... stelara® helps me be in season. stelara® may lower your ability to fight infections and increase your risk of infections. some serious infections require hospitalization. before starting stelara®... ...your doctor should test for tuberculosis. stelara® may increase your risk of cancer. always tell your doctor if you have any sign of infection, have had cancer, or if you develop any new skin growths. do not take stelara® if you are allergic to stelara® or any of its ingredients. alert your doctor of n

remained all this time in havana there. most americans can't just book a trip to cuba. >> reporter: the travel ban is still in place. you need congress to overdo that. americans can't go book a trip to havana. you need a third party authorized by the federal government to arrange trips but the administration expanded the reasons why you can go to cuba. first, journalistic, religious, and now it's about any reason if they can afford the price. at the same time, we should ask this. will americans be able to buy a cuban cigar in the united states in no, you have to bring cigars out of coup cuba. only $100 worth. there's these kwquirky restrictions in place. americans can travel just about anywhere in the world, but not 100% freely to cuba. they have to go to the travel agents authorized by the federal government. it's a step forward but not a total lifting of the embargo and the travel ban. >> they can use credit cards. thank you very much, jim acosta. you're in havana. what have people been saying today? >> reporter: there ha

more from havana later in the broadcast.coming next, sony pictures has made a dramatic decision in the face of threats about its new movie. norah o'donnell will be back with that and more to have the day's news coming up. it's about getting to the finish line. in life, it's how you get there that matters most. like when i found out i had a blood clot in my leg. my doctor said that it could travel to my lungs and become an even bigger problem. so he talked to me about xarelto®. >>xarelto® is the first oral prescription blood thinner proven to treat and help prevent dvt and pe that doesn't require regular blood monitoring or changes to your diet. for a prior dvt i took warfarin, which required routine blood testing and dietary restrictions. not this time. while i was taking xarelto®, i still had to stop racing, but i didn't have to deal with that blood monitoring routine. >>don't stop taking xarelto®, rivaroxaban, unless your doctor tells you to. while taking xarelto®, you may bruise more easily and it may take longer for blee

there are debates, especially about archbishop of havana. i think it might vindicate a bit his role as someone quietly working behind the this process e forward. an interesting space for t, and dialogue that has been trying to work on these debates in cuba. a group of them have broken off something new -- it was profiled in the new york times several weeks ago. it is worth watching them. it is a group of intellectuals who are trying to develop their own think tank. an interesting offshoot of something that start within the church, and maybe broadening out now. >> just one thing. father mccarrick, i do not know in the ou're sitting the issue of on migration -- it is not just a political issue, but a moral issue. this also applies to cuba. think pope francis recognizes that. >> thanks. alec, we will start with you. >> i always feel to make good cardinal. i wonder the panelists will address the attitudes within the cuban armed forces. the armed nce of forces, which have extended themselves and the economy and the reaction caster will feel. you

patrick oppman is in havana. michelle kosinski joins us from the white house. >> and justice reporter evan perez and global affairs correspondent elise in washington. elise, i want to begin with you because you have the details of this series of remarkable developments here and at the top of that list we'll have an embassy. the white house wants to open up an embassy in havana. >> that's right, john, and the u.s. and cuba having these talks for some time. not only about alan gross and the cuban five and u.s. intelligence asset but how the u.s. and cuba can normalize relations. you've seen talks with u.s. and cuban officials over the last years and the u.s. sees reform on the island. so the u.s. will be opening up an embassy in havana. right now there's an intrasection. the u.s. will also see about getting cuba off the state sponsor of terrorism list which has really been a thorn in cuba's side because it was more of a political move. cuba hasn't been seen as having any terrorist activity for years. president obam

illegal attempts by washington to undermine havana's government. gross was tried, originally sentenced to 15 years in jail. this is all part of a new era of u.s.-cuban relations in exchange for gross at least three cuban prisoners will also be sent home to havana. we live awe are live at the white house. watching the story unfold. doug, good day to you. what do we expect to hear from the president. >> we expect to hear him outline what the changes in the relationship with cuba entail. he'll be speaking at the statement time as president raul castro of cuba will be speaking to the cuban people as well. reaction to the change in the relationship with the american people to the cuban people has been mixed. robert menendez of new jersey says this was a swap of convicted spies for an innocent american. he went onto say that president obama's actions have rained ka datevindicated the brutal behavior of the cubans. marco rubio said it sets dangerous precedents. >> we are changing our relationship with the people of cuba. in the most significant changes in

in havana. what have people been saying today? >> little surreal this morning. >> there have been celebrations. tears, a little surreal this morning when the news broke, andersen. still was over two hours until cubans heard about it. through the tightly controlled state media. wasn't until noon. castro took to the airwaves. in a speech to the nation. he talked about the respect he felt to president obama. towards, towards, the necessity of a better relationship moving forward. these are word that his brother, fidel castro never used. cubans were taken aback by that. taken aback by the prisoner swap. raul castro talking about 53 political prisoners released here. in cuba. at the request of the u.s. and a closer relationship moving forward. during the speech, we heard bells tolling. you really got the sense that we were experiencing something quite historic, anderson. what happens now, there will be ripple effects for months, if not years after today's events. and in a lot of ways, it will put the cuban government more in the hot se

airports offer--12 that offer direct non-stop flights to havana.hat the president did today, there are 12 different categories in which you need to apply for a license to travel to cuba, whether it's for religious reasons or cultural reasons, educational reasons. and he basically now lumped that under a general license that still says you need to go there for purposeful travel, but you don't need to apply for a specific license through the travel department. important note that americans cannot travel to cuba solely for tourism purposes. tourism for tourism sake is still prohibited after what the president announced today. >> yet, if you go for journalism, education or culture, you will be able to use your credit cards and debit cards, something not allow previously when banks were embargoed from doing business in cuba? >> right, and this was a big--this is a very hypocrisy in our policy towards cuba. we opened up travel especially under president obama under the last few years but still pro hinted debit cards and credit cards from being used. if a

>> i haven't been in cuba in havana. i have actually. i'm in havana right now as a matter of fact.e streets here in havana when the news came that the u.s. was going to ease restrictions on cuba. we're going to establish diplomatic relations with cuba. it's been a long time coming. let me just say that the embargo, the hard line policy that the united states has followed for the past 40 or 50 years hasn't worked and surely it's time to change. when something doesn't work, you should change it before 50 years have passed. >> you know, we're hearing from some republicans, some potential presidential candidates come 2016, who are not singing hallelujah as senator bill nelson was. i don't think we should be negotiating with an oppressive regime is what jeb bush said. senator lindsey graham saying this is an incredibly bad idea. what would you say to them? >> i would say that's foolish. we have and have had for some time normal diplomatic relations, trade and everything, with china which has a communist government. there are certain repressive measures in china. the idea here is that th

the reaction on the streets from havana to little havana live. that's next. ♪ ♪ and our big idaho potato truck is still missing. so my buddy here is going to help me find it. here we go. woo who, woah, woah, woah. it's out there somewhere spreading the word about americas favorite potatoes: heart healthy idaho potatoes and the american heart association's go red for women campaign. if you see it i hope you'll let us know. always look for the grown in idaho seal. >>> welcome back to "the lead." i'm jake tapper. we continue with our world lead. there has been praise and anger over the announcement of a dramatic change in the u.s.-cuban relationship. cnn's patrick ottoman is the only news network correspondent reporting live from cuba now. he's with us from havana. patrick. what's been the reaction on the streets there? >> reporter: mostly a reaction of joy. it was somewhat surreal, jake. we knew early this morning once the announcement came out in washington that this monumental change was going to take place, but here in cuba where the government

will ease trade and travel restrictions and establish an embassy in havana. they called for an end to the economic embargo in cuba but that is up to congress. isolated cuba has not worked. >> we will end an outdated approach that failed to help our interests and we'll normalize relations between our two countries. susan mcginnis is in washington. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. this historic deal was finalized on tuesday during a phone conversation between president obama and castro. this is the first time the leaders have had an exchange since 1959 when fidel castro and his revolutionary overthrew the cuban government. the u.s. exchanges three cuban intelligence officers in exchange for an unknown spy. cuba released allen gross. he is a u.s. aid worker held five years. gross thanked those who secured his release. >> god bless you and thank you. it was crucial to my survival knowing that i was not forgotten. >> reporter: now many republicans are critical of a move toward the u.s. warming relations with cuba. florida senator, marco rubio of cuban dece

and that is what the embargo was supposed to do. >> reporter: in little havana three-quarter thought the embargo didn't work. >> i truly believe that the embargo and not having a good relationship with cuba has only hurt the cuban people. not the cuban government. >> reporter: which is why the embargo was put in place more than 5 decades ago. and there is a gap in ages for this issue. there are some cubans that still older cubans who have the land deed that they are holding and they are hoping to get their land back in cuba. there's a story that when the night before kennedy announced this, he told the secretary of state dean rusk, go out and buy every cuban cigar you can. of [ laughter ] >> he knew. >> well, he knew he was going to make the announcement. that's the story that's going around. maybe now we'll be getting more cuban cigars. >> the real ones. >> yeah. >> and that cuban coffee. >> cohiba! >> thank you, mike. >>> it was supposed to be a comedy. >> you want us to kill the leader of north korea? >> yes. >> what?! >> no one is laughing now. breaking new developments on the so

in a country where the center of havana, old havana where there's still 1950 cars and no glass in theirngs where if you have a cuban friend or someone from cuba helping you is not allowed to go into your hotel because hotels which fund castro are for tourists only. imagine what would happen if suddenly you put all of this freedom and all of this wealth and all of our excess just dropped it in there. you can't do that. so how is this going to work? jerry ellis is in to talk about the economic ramifications of it. that's next. >>> first time i went to cuba i asked my friends in south florida what do we take. take soap and tooth brushes, take toothpaste, take toilet tissue because they can't get any of it. can't get any of those things that we don't even think twice about. don't forget bring me back somecy garcias and rum. smuggle it in. you don't have to smuggle it in any more. gerry willis is here with us. >> that's one of the things that happened. as an american you can bring up to 100 bucks worth of cigars and booze. >> at the cost in cuba or cost in south florida? >> i don't know th

people are chanting, marching through the cuban streets in havana. this came as a surprise for a lot of people. you can really see the elation in their faces. >> relaxed travel restrictions will not allow for u.s. tourism, but they will let cuban-americans send more money back home every year. demonstrators in havana say the moves are a step in the right direction. >> translator: let's see if the embargo can be lifted so we can get more food, more things from other countries. >> they're very constructive, good steps. i think it's a path towards a better relationship with the cuban people and the people of the united states. >> the reaction in miami in little havana was certainly different. there were angry debates that broke out. they had long opposed any change in u.s. policy. holm people calling president obama barack obama a coward, in fact. going as far as accusing him of conspiring with a terrorist regime. >> those of the younger generation say they support the prisoner exchange and they are in favor of restoring diplomatic relations with cuba.

group of havana on the show. she said it could help with the fall of communism. don't you thing this is the case? >> this is not the case of history, this is the case of two individuals that held power in cuba, have done so for 50 years, believe they open the country and act as such. i don't think they are going to let go because of this deal, if it can be called a deal, because it's a unilateral action undertaking by the government of the united states directed entire by mr president obama. the person that makes all the decisions and this in particular was not consulted to the judiciary or the legislative or for all that matters to the american people. >> as you know, the u.s. has issues with the communist chinese government and how it treats its people and other governments around the world. that does not stop us having international relations. why should cuba be any different. >> the u.s. hold relations with cuba for a long time under the table. i'm a witness for that. the pilots killed. and the men that i directed, the group to the rescue - the day they were

he is a personal and long standing friend of the archbishop of havana.some feeling and ethos in latin america that this is the pope who might be able to really be helpful to both countries. >> our first guest wrote a book about back channels to cuba over the last 50 years. this is a whole new chapter. we've used canada and other ways of communicating, but the vatican hasn't been that high on people's list of where they would expect to see this happen. >> well, that's true, although i have to go back again and say that as cuba has changed slowly over the last 20 years, internally in cuba, it's been the catholic church that has built separate pace from the state and government but has worked with the goth to create that space. and that's been done also with the support of the vatican. so it does seem unlikely in a country like the united states that is not as predominantly latin as other countries. my e perspective as an historian is actually that this is entirely consistent. in fact, i can remember, lawrence, when elian gonzalez was stuck here in the unit

it will ease the trade in the embargo in havana. polls show cuban americans show the president's plan. andy gallagher has more on the divide. [ singing ] >> reporter: in the cuban neighbourhood,business as usual, eighth street is a popular destination for the world's tourists. eric otiero moved to miami when he was three years old. his sister and grandparents remain on the island. they sent four times as much money. they are concerned with bigger issues. what else - do they speak freely, do they have their culture, their own life. you can't say what you think, what you aspire to or own your own home, unless you have an american family. nothing will happen. across town in the heavily cuban neighbourhood, it's the subject of the debate. the man that owns the cafe says his customers have opposing views that he sees old friends fall out. >> people have been eating breakfast and lunch together side by side, it felt a little heated and anyone that talks to each other by the time breakfast or lunch was over. >> amongst the younger generati

it may perhaps soon be the cuban embassy in havana. they are looking for a flagpole so they can raise the american flag which i think would be the next step in this process. i only ask you to please identify yourselves and be brief. you can make a comment or have a question. we want to get as much from all of you as we can. let's start with steve and we will collect a few. >> good morning and thank you very much. folks got be that the ahead of their community. >> one comment is that we and the association experience wantg to make changes and to concentrate more on changes in economic policy in cuba. after 25 years, unfortunately, we see very little. the most egregious example is the policy of unification that they continue to do against the advice of the war pack. the question is, now we have a responsibility, those who work in latin america and support dialogue, we have this opportunity with the political opening. i'm very happy that president obama took this position. we do have the responsibility to promote an opening with civil soc

he was the american subcontractor who was doing work in havana. and he was allegedly trying to help get better access to the internet. and the spy who had been held for decades, he has also been released. let's go to jamie macintyre in washington. and there are allegations this is another repeat of the bo bird dahl -- berg doll being released. i wonder if you can give us more details about the terms of the deal. >> that's why these things are carefully negotiated over time. this has been in the works now for over a year and a half. and the final details were finalized in a meeting at the vatican hosted by pope francis. the pope instrumental in this, both in writing letters to the united states and cuba, and also helping to put the final stamp on this deal. so that's why it's very carefully worded that the united states would not agree to trade a spy for alan gross who they insisted was not spying, and they insisted on language where cuba would say it released him for humanitarian reasons. they did concede a u.s. spy who had been held in prison in

michelle caruso-cabrera has more from havana. >> reporter: every day, hundreds of people line up in havana to apply for permission to go to the united states and some for family, some for better opportunities. others frustrated by the stagnant economy. >> it's complicated for me to work here because the only opportunities are here in havana. >> reporter: she said more people would want to stay if the changes improve life on the island including allowing u.s. residents to send more money to family remaining in cuba and easing travel restrictions between the two countries. 200 people traveled last year from special licenses issued by the treasury, families, religious groups and educational tours. this group of u.s. tours was in cuba the day of the historic announcement. >> every person we spoke to, the waiter said, oh, they light up. they're so happy. we're all fist bumping. >> they want to hug and smiles from ear to ear. >> reporter: also under the changes, payment terms will be easier for the cuban government. which fought from the u.s. last year more than $3 billion worth of food and medi

renÉ gonzalez speaking in september 2013 from havana, cuba.r 2011 after being jailed in the united states for her teen years. the last three members of the inan five were just released a deal made by the united states and cuba to begin normalizing relations. if you'd like a copy of today's show, go to our website at [indiscernible] at democracynow.org. democracy now! is looking for feedback from people who appreciate the closed captioning. e-mail your comments to outreach@democracynow.org or mail them to democracy now! p.o. box 693 new york, new york 10013. aammmmmhh@@@/=//

in 2009 alan gross was arrested in havana. i think also why now is that we had an election that the democrats lost hand illy, and i think president obama doesn't have anything to lose. he's thinking about his legacy. finally, he said in the speech that it's the right thing to do, and in that sense, that's lot of things that have been happening the last five years in cuba, that are marginal to the fundamental human rights, civic rights, but economic changes have been happening on the island, and this is a way to encourage those, capitalise on those and reach out to the cuban people, entrepreneurs. >> we'll talk about the economics of it in a moment. >> do you agree with the reasons, would you like to add something to the list? >> yes. i think that this in many way assist a surrender of the cuban government to new political economic facts, and i think the most important thing is the - one of the many things that's occurring as a result of the drop in the price of oil. venezuela was paying cuba - was giving cuba oil at low prices

here now with the full story, abc's senior national correspondent, jim avila from havana. >> reporterve long years in a cuban prison, american contractor alan gross is suddenly a free man. >> it was crucial to my survi l survival, knowing that i was not forgotten. >> reporter: spirited out of havana aboard a government jet, in a deal that could change history. in this video, provided exclusively to abc news by senator jeff flake, who was on board, allan gross peerm peers window at freedom. and then -- >> u.s. air space. >> reporter: and the actual reunion with his wife judy, who flew to cuba along with his attorney. his first words, simply, "i'm free." >> today is the first day of hanukkah, and i guess so far, it's the best hanukkah that i'll be celebrating for a long time. >> reporter: his release was the final condition in a year and a half of secret negotiations. now, for the first time, in more than a half century, president obama acted to restore full diplomatic relagtss with cuba, installing an embassy in the isolated socialist nation. which could open the door for trade, touris

coming up in our next half hour, we'll go live to little havana in miami. we have reaction from the cuban american community there. >> russian president vladimir putin reassuring his country that their economy will recover. during his annual news conference, he said they have enough in reserve to stabilize the ruble. >> this situation has been provoked by external factors for first and foremost, but we believe that a lot has not been done by us of which we plan diversifying our economy. >> so far, he hasn't given concrete measures that he plans to introduce to fix his economy. during his speech, the ruble started to slide again, now worth a fraction of what it was earlier this year. a ruble right now will by you about a penny and a half. >> a second day of mourning in pakistan, the nation remembering the victims from tuesday's military school attack. >> laying them to rest is a very painful task. >> more than 130 children have been laid to rest. even grown men struggled to keep their composure. >> he buried his nephew. >> i asked what he was wearing, and th

, much of havana looks as it did in 1961 but that is about too change.ce president obama announce add new diplomatic relationship with the communist country many companies have been waiting in line to get in including mastercard, cisco, marriott, pepsi, and major league baseball. but convincing lawmakers to go along will be much more difficult. >> this is the kind of deal you get when you spend your speech righter to negotiate with a tyrant. >> reporter: many republicans including the leaders of both houses of congress oppose the president's plans. many republicans but not all. >> you know, the 50-year embargo hasn't worked. if the goal was review change it doesn't seem to be working. >> reporter: but here on the streets of havana, there's a much more uniform response. relief. this man remembers cuba before the embargo. we're really grateful to the u.s. government, he says, to president obama and president raul for improving relations. this man said relations between people and countries is always, always a good thing. it's positive. a positive idea, peo

>> tony, we are here in little havana, and this is the bar chan of where those supporters gain their support, this is short of where that opposition grew during the 1960's, 70's and 80's, now it is different, but that hasn't stopped the senator from being very much outfront, simply because he was perceived to be on the presidential campaign footing. but he has called this policy disgraceful, aen co session to tyranny, and he was again speaking on that campaign trail today. >> this deal, the president has come up with a terrible trade off. in exchange for diplomatic recognition, more cooperation on telecommunications more banking more commerce, travel cuba has agreed to now to pout this in context, back in 2008 when pram was elected his administration was pursuing these same initiatives. a lot you are seeing today, in terms of direct mail, increases in the amount of money that cubans can spend, that was happening back in 2008, it all came to a screeching halt in december of 2009 when allen gross was held and detained. so yesterday when it was announced he had been released in exchange

renÉ gonzalez speaking in september 2013 from havana, cuba.r 2011 after being jailed in the united states for her teen years. the last three members of the inan five were just released a deal made by the united states and cuba to begin normalizing relations. if you'd like a copy of today's show, go to our website at [indiscernible] at democracynow.org. democracy now! is looking for feedback from people who appreciate the closed captioning. e-mail your comments to outreach@democracynow.org or mail them to democracy now! p.o. box 693 new york, new york 10013. >> heirlooms are treasures passed down through the generations. with "heirloom meals," we seek to capture the essence of family traditions through our connections with our memories about food and meals, savoring yesterday's traditions today. welcome to "heirloom meals christmas special." we are going to walk down food memory lane with several guests as we explore how we all attach memories to smells, sights, and tastes around the family dinner table. christmas is a magical season of love an

our story begins with an image of what used to be the cuban capita capitol building in can havana. >> to understand why the u.s. and cuba has had such a strained relationship, you need to go back to 1958. there was an imposed arms embargo against bautista, a brutal and corrupt dictate who are rose to power the year before. then on new year's day in 1959 castro's guerrilla army successfully entered havana, swiftly overthrowing the bautista government. >> castro promised to hold free elections and not confiscate property held by foreigners. the u.s. immediately recognized the castro regime. castro even visited the united states three months later, touring the country and meeting with then vice president richard nixon. it was a rare and fleeting moment of friendship between the two countries. but it wasn't long before the relationship soured. the u.s. quickly grew concerned when castro ordered the execution of more than 500 pro bautista supporters. he began to voice communist rhetoric and speeches. the final straw in 1960 when castro seized private land and nationalized businesses owned