After 47 years the Organization of American States lifted its suspension of Cuba

The 34-member hemispheric body, meeting in Honduras, unanimously scrapped a 1962 decision at the height of the Cold War that barred Cuba as revolutionary leader Fidel Castro took it toward communism and an alliance with the Soviet Union.

While leftists in Latin America hailed the OAS vote as a diplomatic victory for Cuba, Washington said it had succeeded in ensuring that Cuba could not rejoin the group without moving toward democracy and respect for human rights.

Barack Obama as taken steps toward a more open relationship with Cuba, lifting restrictions on travel and cash remittances to Cuba for Cuban-Americans with relatives on the island. But his administration had said Havana should not be allowed to return to the OAS until it embraces democratic principles and makes progress on human rights.

Cuban state-run TV said Havana had no interest in rejoining the group. "Cuba has not asked for nor does it wish to return to the OAS, which is steeped in a submissive and shady history."

(Taken from a Reuters article which can be read here)