Montevideo, December 19 (RHC-Mercopress) -– The role played by Uruguay's President in the process which led to Wednesday's announcement that the United States and Cuba are working to restore full diplomatic ties, was praised by Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro and international analysts.

Uruguayan President Jose Mujica was quoted as saying that “we didn't go around about what we thought, we told it to the president of the United States in Cartagena and also when we paid him a visit [in Washington] and also to Raul Castro when we explained that we were open to giving asylum to the Guantanamo prisoners.”

Mujica admitted that he did his part, but does not want to be misinterpreted. “We won't be saying that the United States bowed to our request; we have a clear perception of our proportions,” he explained.

Mujica's involvement as a mediator started over a year ago in Havana, moved on to Washington and became instrumental at the G-77 Summit in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.

After his meeting with the President of the United States in Washington, he is said to have brought Raul Castro a personal message from Obama in the sense that he was willing to reach an agreement with Cuba.