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Representatives from the U.S. and Cuba have agreed to reopen direct mail service between the two countries as part of a recent and historic thawing in relations between the former Cold War foes.
”After more than five decades without having this important service, direct mail and packages between Cuba and the United States will be available for the citizens of both countries,” said a statement released Friday by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations. A pilot project for transporting mail will begin in the coming weeks, the statement said.
Jose Carlos, a spokesperson for the Cuban Foreign Ministry, announced the news on Twitter.
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Comunicado prensa delegación #Cuba a negociaciones para restablecimiento servicio correo postal directo #CubaUS https://t.co/oc5OgrLtp3
— José Carlos (@JoseCarlosRRuiz)
December 11, 201
“Cuban delegation press release on negotiations to reestablish direct mail service.”
The announcement came after a meeting on Thursday between the Cuban ambassador to the U.S., Jose Ramon Cabañas Rodriguez, and the executive director of the U.S. Postal Service’s International Relations, Lea Emerson. The meet was carried out “in a respectful, professional and constructive climate,” according to the Cuban delegation.
IN DEPTH: Cuban Blocakde
U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro have overseen a dramatic change in their two countries’ relations. While the U.S. continues to impose a crippling blockade on the island nation—an blockade on trade and travel that has been in place for 53 years—it recently restored full diplomatic relations.
