President Barack Obama appointed the first U.S. ambassador to Cuba in more than 50 years, in an effort to continue moving forward the new US policy with Cuba, the BBC reported.

The nominee, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, has been the most senior U.S. official in Havana since the summer of 2014. 

He is currently the chargé d’affaires at the embassy and lives in the ambassador’s residence in Havana.

“The appointment of an ambassador is a common-sense step forward toward a more normal and productive relationship between our two countries,” Mr. Obama said.

Source: MENA