Today’s Big Cuba News, Captured in 28 Tweets

Natalie Johnson /

U.S. aid worker Alan Gross was released this morning after spending five years in a Cuban prison. Today’s prisoner swap marks just one piece of President Obama’s plan to normalize relations with Cuba after decades of hostility.

>>> Cuba Frees American Contractor in Prisoner Swap

American Alan Gross released in prisoner swap with Cuba; Obama to overhaul Cuba policy in landmark deal. pic.twitter.com/XidoOyQtAa

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) December 17, 2014

BREAKING: US officials: US to start talks with Cuba to normalize full diplomatic relations, open embassy.

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 17, 2014

In its usual fashion, Twitter users quickly reacted to discuss, or berate, the president’s latest foreign policy move.

We're normalizing relations with Cuba?!? pic.twitter.com/5DK2NFHYD4

— Ryan Teague Beckwith (@ryanbeckwith) December 17, 2014

Just read the White House statement on normalizing ties with Cuba. The U.S. got nothing in exchange for recognizing Castro's dictatorship.

— Mike Gonzalez (@Gundisalvus) December 17, 2014

I mean, maybe Cuba has gone through serious reforms and is, you know, not still jailing dissidents and making people disappear?

— RBe (@RBPundit) December 17, 2014

US cut off diplomatic relations with Cuba in January 1961. Today will be remembered as the biggest shift in the relationship since then.

— Raf Sanchez (@rafsanchez) December 17, 2014

Americans going to Cuba, Russians going to Crimea.
I think we’re getting the better deal.

— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) December 17, 2014

Obama's nomalization with #Cuba is happening entirely on the Cuba's terms. Not one concession on democracy or human rights by the Castros.

— Jackson Diehl (@JacksonDiehl) December 17, 2014

Edward Snowden probably glad right about now that he didn't end up in Cuba.

— Ryan Teague Beckwith (@ryanbeckwith) December 17, 2014

https://twitter.com/jorgearangure/status/545242707602702337

More Cuba thoughts: notice Obama waited not only until after November's midterms to do this, but after Senate went home for Xmas last night.

— Dan Roberts (@RobertsDan) December 17, 2014

Menendez: “Trading Mr. Gross… invites dictatorial and rogue regimes to use Americans serving overseas as bargaining chips."

— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) December 17, 2014

Get to Cuba quick, before all the Americans arrive and it turns into South Florida.

— James Mackintosh (@jmackin2) December 17, 2014

https://twitter.com/emmaroller/status/545238249565077506

https://twitter.com/JeffreyGoldberg/status/545238783789367296

Yup. RT @ron_fournier: "We were doing what to Cuba? Why?" — Area Millennial

— Greg Sargent (@GregTSargent) December 17, 2014

https://twitter.com/wesleydenton/status/545235157121523712

https://twitter.com/NoahCRothman/status/545241901272948736

What, Cuba exists? Its an independent country with its own priorities, aspirations, political relationships? Really. Tough call.

— Stanley Cohen (@StanleyCohenLaw) December 17, 2014

https://twitter.com/BenHowe/status/545236307396415488

So we are normalizing relations with Cuba based on their stalwart recommitment to liberty?

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 17, 2014

So apparently we're trading the end of sanctions against Cuba for…um…we'll get back to you on that.

— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) December 17, 2014

So @JebBush announces a run Sunday and @BarackObama normalizes relationships with Cuba on Monday.

Masterful, if I do say so myself.

— Francis J. Underwood (@RepUnderwoodSC) December 17, 2014

Finally, Michael Moore will get the top-notch medical care he's been waiting for. #Cuba

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) December 17, 2014

“Did somebody say Cubans?” – Bill Clinton

— Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) December 17, 2014

Which major Obama donor gets the Cuba Ambassador gig?

— Sam Stein (@samstein) December 17, 2014

Alan Gross. Back on U.S. soil. pic.twitter.com/Ut5jvdQGg2

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) December 17, 2014

House GOP actually tried to restrict travel to Cuba in #CRomnibus, but Dems held firm. Rider was not included. CC @SenatorBarb @CQnow

— Ben Weyl (@benweyl) December 17, 2014