article_snippet.sent: With President Barack Obama optimistic assessment, President Barack Obama sought to set the tone for the U.S. and Cuba to come closer to closing the book on more than a half-century of estrangement, when President Barack Obama and Castro come face to face at the Summit of the Americas.
article_snippet.sent: The highly anticipated interaction with Castro will test the power of personal diplomacy as the two leaders attempt to move past the sticking points that have interfered with the two leaders attempt to relaunch diplomatic relations.
article_snippet.sent: The United States has a unique opportunity to begin a fresh chapter with Cuba - one that advances our national interests on Cuba and in the hemisphere,' Cuban President Raul Castro (above) said.
article_snippet.sent: This year's summit is the first to include Cuba, and for Castro
article_snippet.sent: This year's summit's a powerful opportunity to prove Castro can be a responsible player on the world stage.
article_snippet.sent: How much face time President Barack Obama and Cuba's President Raul Castro will have at This year's summit was unclear.
article_snippet.sent: Obama and Castro shared a handshake in 2013 at Nelson Mandela's funeral, a jarring image for those who still recall the levels of US - Cuban antipathy during the Cold War.
article_snippet.sent: Castro's political opponents are proceeding as I expected,' President Barack Obama said of the talks between Havana and Washington. '
highlights_snippet.sent: The two shared a handshake a Nelson Mandela's funeral in 2013, which angered some Americans .
  