Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today issued the following statement in response to the administration’s announcement that it will re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, and reopen an embassy in Havana in July:

“It's long past time for U.S. policy toward Cuba to be associated with something other than five decades of failure. It is difficult to overstate the importance of resuming diplomatic relations ‎with Cuba, in furthering our own national interests, benefiting our relations in the region, and encouraging a positive future for the Cuban people. I am confident that this move will lead to increased travel and contact between U.S. citizens and everyday Cubans, to the benefit of both.”

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