Havana – The White House says it’s taking no offense that Cuban President Raul Castro didn’t greet President Barack Obama upon arrival in Havana.
Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security adviser, says it was “never contemplated or discussed” that Castro would be at the airport.
He said the Cubans consider Monday morning’s ceremony with Obama and Castro to be the official welcome event.
Several dignitaries were on hand at the airport, including Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and Cuban Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Cabanas.
But Castro’s absence prompted GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump to tweet that it was a sign of “no respect.” Castro previously has greeted Pope Francis on arrival during a September trip to Cuba and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill last month.
As reported by Vos Iz Neias