Cuban Leader Raoul Castro Demands That Before Restoration Of Relations The U.S. Must Pay Compensation For Economic Damages, Lift The Embargo, And Return Guantanamo Bay

Cuba's President Raul Castro speaks during the opening ceremony of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit in San Antonio de Belen province of Heredia January 28, 2015. (Reuters/Costa Rica Presidency)

WSJ/AP: U.S. Must Return Guantanamo for Normal Relations With Cuba, Raúl Castro Says

WNU Editor: Something tells me that the White House never though about the possibility that Cuba may have a list of demands that must be met before any restoration of ties .... that all that they saw was a "bold announcement" that would make President Obama appear as a statesman .... praise from their friends in the media and on the left .... and support within the international community that the U.S. was now not only listening to ..... but also sympathetic to the needs and demands of Latin America.

Well .... Raoul Castro's demands have now changed all of that .... especially his demand for economic compensation .... and I can easily see the White House going into damage control in trying to explain what this is all about. My prediction .... this Castro demand has blindsided them .... and the fact that they have said nothing so far tells me that they were caught by surprise.

More News On Cuban Leader Raoul Castro Demands For Restoring Relations

Raul Castro: US Must Return Guantanamo for Normal Relations -- AP
Raul Castro demands U.S. pay back Cubans for 'damages,' return Guantanamo -- FOX News
Raúl Castro demands that US return Guantánamo base to Cuba -- The Guardian
Raul Castro demands U.S. return control of Guantanamo Bay -- Washington Times
Cuba urges US to end economic blockade, return Guantanamo -- RT
Raul Castro Urges US to Return Guantanamo Bay for Restoration of Relations -- Sputnik
Raúl Castro to US: Return Gitmo, end embargo -- Al Jazeera
Cuba's Raul Castro demands US return Guantanamo, lift embargo -- Deutsche welle
Raul Castro Says The US Must Return Guantanamo Bay Before Ties Are Normalized -- Business Insider
Raul Castro warns U.S. against meddling in Cuba's affairs -- Reuters