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Just last week President Obama announced for the first time in over half a century, an American factory has been approved to operate in Cuba. Now, for another historic milestone in his presidency, the POTUS will visit the country making him the first president to visit Cuba in over 80 years.

ABC News reports the visit is expected to take place in “mid-March,” and will reportedly be part of a “broader” Latin America trip. Early Thursday morning, President Obama tweeted about the time he plans to spend in Cuba. “14 months ago, I announced that we would begin normalizing relations with Cuba,” @POTUS tweeted. “We’ve already made significant progress. Our flag flies over our Embassy in Havana once again. More Americans are traveling to Cuba than at any time in the last 50 years.”

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In an open letter, Ben Rhodes, Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting, explained why this trip is so important and historic. He wrote,

“Cuba’s nascent private sector — from restaurant owners to shopkeepers — has benefited from increased travel from the American people. Increased remittances to Cuba from the United States has helped Cuban families. Openings for American companies also hold the potential of improving the lives of ordinary Cubans — for instance, American companies will be enabling travelers to stay in Cuban homes and setting up a factory that will provide equipment for farmers. The Cuban government has taken some steps to fulfill its commitment to expand access to the Internet, expanding wireless hotspots and announcing an initial broadband connection.”

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