President Obama Defends Upcoming Cuba Visit Amid GOP Criticism

by frank

President Barack Obama on Saturday defended his visit to Cuba next month amid rebuke from conservative circles, saying that it would further advance his efforts to restore diplomatic relations after more than a half-century of Cold War-era conflict between the countries.
"I'm focused on the future, and I'm confident that my visit will advance the goals that guide us —promoting American interests and values and a better future for the Cuban people, a future of more freedom and more opportunity," the president said in his weekly address.
Related: President Obama to Make Historic Visit to Cuba
"My visit will be an opportunity to keep moving forward," he added. "I'll meet with President Castro to discuss how we can continue normalizing relations, including making it easier to trade and easier
 for Cubans to access the Internet and start their own businesses."

The White House announced Obama's visit on Thursday, a move that would make him the first sitting American president to travel to Cuba in nearly 90 years. His plan to visit March 21-22 comes more than a year after the Obama administration and Cuba made an agreement to restore diplomatic ties.

The president vowed to "speak candidly about our serious differences with the Cuban government, including on democracy and human rights."