Havana, May 23 (RHC)-- The two grandsons of U.S. writer Ernest Hemingway, John and Patrick, said in Havana that they are very pleased with the new stage of relations between Cuba and their country.

John and Patrick arrived in the Cuban capital aboard a yacht along other U.S. citizens to participate at the 65th International Billfishing Tournament named after their grandfather and which will take place from May 25th to the 30th.

John Hemingway said that the announcement by President Barack Obama to work for the normalization of relations with Cuba came as a big, but pleasant, surprise. John and his brother had to apply for a special permit from the Department of the Treasury to visit the Cuba due to the travel restrictions imposed by Washington.

John, a writer, and Patrick, a photographer, are the children of Gregory Hemingway and grandchildren of Pauline Pfeiffer, second of four wives of the U.S. writer.