US, Cuba restore diplomatic ties

Embassies reopen in Washington and Havana after 54 years

The Cuban flag was raised at the US State Department on Monday in a historic gesture to mark renewed diplomatic ties between Havana and Washington as embassies were re-established in their respective capitals.

Diplomatic relations officially resumed at the stroke of midnight, and the Cuban banner was hoisted a few hours later, in a move toward burying decades of enmity between the Cold War foes seeking to normalize relations.