UMass Professor Says Obama Making History In Cuba

President Obama is writing a new chapter in U.S.-Cuban relations.

In Havana on Monday, the President said U.S. policy meant to change Cuba over the past half-century hasn't worked, and now his administration is doing what it can to end the continuing economic embargo against Cuba.

Many are criticizing the administration for attempting to normalize relations with a government that often violates human rights. but UMass Dartmouth Political Science Professor Kenneth Manning tells WBSM News, the rhetoric over Cuba has been over-heated for years.

"In reality, the United States engages with regimes that it doesn't necessarily agree with in all sorts of different avenues and venues and corners of the earth, and Cuba is now joining that list."

Manning also says, no one should be surprised by the President's position. "This is something that Obama campaigned on and promised when he ran in 2008. There has been lots of criticism of American policy toward Cuba, and Obama has clearly changed it in a dramatic way."

Manning called the president's visit to Cuba "historic" and said it will be one of the most significant accomplishments of his administration.