It was a historic moment in Havana Friday morning as the United States reopened its embassy in Cuba as part of the newly restored diplomatic ties between the two countries. Time Warner Cable News' Geoff Bennett filed the following report.
The Stars and Stripes hoisted above the American embassy in Cuba for the time in 54 years, marking its reopening.
Secretary of State John Kerry presided over Friday's ceremony.
"And we are certain that the time is now to reach out to one another as two peoples who are no longer enemies or rivals, but neighbors," said Kerry. "Time to unfurl our flags, raise them up and let the world know that we wish each other well."
The U.S. embassy in Cuba closed its doors in 1961 after the Eisenhower administration severed ties with Fidel Castro's government.
Friday's reopening of the diplomatic post was rich in symbolism: The American flag presented by the same U.S. Marines who took it down more than half a century ago.
Last month, Cuba raised its flag over its embassy in Wasghington, but despite the new era of engagement, travel and trade restrictions are still on the books.
President Obama has called for Congress to lift the embargoes.
Underscoring the differences that remain between the two Cold War foes, Secretary Kerry on Friday urged the Communist-run Cuba to improve its human rights record.
"Cuba's future is for Cubans to shape," said Kerry. "Responsibility for the nature and quality of governance and accountability, rests as they should not with any outside entity, but solely within the citizens of this country."
It's a delicate diplomatic balancing act, welcoming a new chapter of goodwill after decades of hostility.