US, Cuba Hold Highest Level Talks in 50 Years

President Barak Obama returned to Washington early Sunday after a historic meeting with Cuba's Raul Castro in Panama.

The private discussion during the Summit of the Americas was the first between Cuban and American heads of state in over 50 years and a major step in Obama's drive to restore diplomatic relations with the neighboring island.

Obama is now expected to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, and to eventually end the economic blockade of the island.  The latter will require congressional action.

Regional leaders at the Summit showed warm approval of Obama's "new chapter of engagement" in U.S.-Latin American relations.

Obama also spoke privately with Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, who in a lengthy speech condemned the U.S. for its interventions in Latin America. 

But after meeting with Obama, Maduro said there could be a meaningful dialogue between the two nations. Maduro did not deliver a much-heralded petition reportedly signed by 10 million Venezuelans, to repeal U.S. sanctions against top Venezuelan leaders.

Regarding Cuba, Obama said he felt it was time to try tomething new and engage with both Cuba's government and its people.

"What we have both concluded is that we can disagree with a spirit of respect and civility," Obama said. "And over time, it is possible for us to turn the page and develop a new relationship between our two countries."

Castro said he agreed with everything Obama had said, though they had "agreed to disagree" at times.

Earlier during the Summit Castro had read a litany of grievances against the United States. He said many U.S. presidents were to blame, but that Obama wasn't one of them.

Castro said "everything can be on the table" in the negotiations with the U.S., including human rights and freedom of the press.  

One of the biggest criticisms of President Barack Obama's plan to normalize relations with Cuba is the Castro regime's support of global terrorism, including groups associated with Iran.

CBN's Gary Lane spoke with Dr. Jaime Suchlicki, director of the Institute for Cuba and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Miami.