US appoints Jeffrey DeLaurentis as Cuban Ambassador

The United States has appointed its first Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis to Cuba in 55 years as relations between the countries thaw. President Barack Obama said it was a step towards a more normal and productive relationship. But he may face a battle in Congress where some



Republicans are opposed to his dealings with the communist island. 

President Obama said there was no better qualified public servant. The new ambassador DeLaurentis had been working at the new US embassy in Havana, which opened in July last year.