WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama says the warming of relations with Cuba gives the U.S. a chance to influence events at a time of generational change.
Obama says 50 years of trying to overthrow the Castro government through isolation hasn’t worked. He says he intends to seize the opportunity to try something different.
Obama says his critics accuse him of accommodating dictators and getting rolled over. But Obama says those critics want to shoot first and think second, in order to project strength.
Obama says he’s been firm with countries that violate international law or act against the U.S. He’s citing Russia as one example. But he says when there’s a chance to solve problems diplomatically, the U.S. should do so.
Obama spoke in an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union.”