US and Cuba reopen embassies, restoring diplomatic relations after 54 years

The United States and Cuba formally restored diplomatic relations on July 20, 2015, when both countries upgraded their interests sections to full embassies. Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Havana on August 14 to officiate the US flag-raising ceremony, becoming the first Secretary of State to visit Cuba in more than 70 years. The US Interests Section in Havana had operated since 1977 under the Swiss Embassy as a protecting power; its conversion to a full embassy required no congressional approval because Kennedy-era legislation still authorized it. Cuba simultaneously reopened its embassy in Washington, D.C.