Washington, August 15 (RHC)-- Most people in the United States, especially Democrats, approve of Washington's restored relations with Cuba – a process further solidified on Friday when Secretary of State John Kerry presided over the raising of the U.S. flag at the newly reopened U.S. Embassy in Havana.
Seventy-three percent of Americans are in favor of re-established relations between the two countries, which is impressive considering that just five years ago, not even 30 percent of Americans had a favorable opinion of Cuba, according to Gallup polling.
From the beginning of this year to July, though, U.S. people's support of a renewed relationship has risen by 10 percentage points, Pew said.
Democrats seem to be the most on board with renewed U.S.-Cuba relations, with 83 percent in support compared with 56 percent of Republicans.
And these stats seem to align with presidential candidates’ views on the issue. GOP candidates like Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida have been blasting President Barack Obama for his recent foreign policy initiatives, with Rubio telling conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt he would close or downgrade the embassy in Havana if he wins the election.
Similarly, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush called Kerry’s visit to Cuba “a birthday present for Fidel Castro” and “a symbol of the Obama administration’s acquiescence to his ruthless legacy,” The Hill reported.
On the other end of the spectrum, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton has been fighting for the U.S. to lift its blockade on Cuba. She called out Republicans, saying that pausing U.S.-Cuban relations has failed in the past and that the country must learn from its mistakes.
Farther south, Latin America seems to be even more pleased than the U.S. with the Cold War enemies’ newfound ties. A median of 77 percent of people in five Latin American countries –Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Venezuela – support the revived relationship, Pew said in another study.
Residents in these countries, particularly those with higher incomes, were also more in favor of the U.S. ending its blockade on Cuba, with a median of 76 percent in support of such a move compared with 72 percent support in the United States.
Among the Latin American countries, Mexico appears to be the most hesitant about the revived friendship. Only a little more than half of people in Mexico approve of the renewed relationship between Cuba and the U.S. and of the U.S. ending its blockade on Cuba.
