Jimmy Carter ‘proud’ of Obama on Cuba

by David McCabe - 12/18/14 11:02 AM ET

Former President Jimmy Carter said Thursday he was “proud” of President Obama for his decision to normalize relations with Cuba.

“These are the kinds of things that have long been overdue, and I’m very proud and grateful that President Obama has shown such good wisdom — and also I’d say political courage — in taking this long overdue step,” he said while appearing on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

Obama’s order will re-establish formal diplomatic relations with the island nation and open make it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba for certain purposes. The deal also freed Alan Gross, an American aid worker, and an unidentified American intelligence operative.

The trade and travel embargo on the country remains in place. On Thursday, Carter called on Congress to lift the blanket restriction.

He also pushed back against one of the criticisms coming from lawmakers opposed to the deal: that it benefits Fidel and Raúl Castro, the brothers who rule the country, more than the Cuban people.

“I know the Castro brothers quite well, and I think this will not benefit them; it will benefit the people of Cuba — that’s the main thing that I see,” said Carter, who also sought to normalize the relationship while he was in office.

“I think this will open up the Cuban people to the realization that they need to move toward more freedom and more democracy,” Carter said later in the interview.

Tags Cuba