Advertisement

  1. National

Freed Cuban agents given heroes' welcomes as they land back home

Thee Cuban intelligence agents have been given heroes' welcomes as they landed back in their homeland after 16 years in prison in the US.

It comes as US President Barack Obama announced his country will restore diplomatic relations it severed with Cuba more than 50 years ago.

As part of a prisoner swap under the new policy, Cuba freed American Alan Gross in exchange for the three Cubans held by the United States.

View all 16 updates ›

Republicans claim Cuba move shows 'retreat of US values'

Senators Lindsay Graham and John McCain. Credit: Reuters

Two of the leading Republican voices on U.S. foreign policy have denounced President Barack Obama's plans to ease U.S. restrictions on Cuba.

Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham claimed the move showed "America and the values it stands for in retreat and decline."

"It is about the appeasement of autocratic dictators, thugs, and adversaries, diminishing America's influence in the world," the pair said in a statement.

More top news