Majority of Americans support Obama's move to restore diplomatic ties with Cuba

by Kerry Eleveld

Community

Monday, Mar. 21, 2016 Monday, Mar. 21, 2016 at 7:57:55am PDT

HAVANA, CUBA - MARCH 20: First lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, Malia Obama and Sasha Obama arrive at Jose Marti International Airport for a 48-hour visit on Airforce One March 20, 2016 in Havana, Cuba. Obama is the first President in nearly

As President Obama embarked on his historic trip to Cuba Monday, a CBS News/New York Times poll finds that most Americans both approve of the president's actions and the move to restore U.S.-Cuba relations.

Fifty-two percent approve of the president's handling of relations with the island nation, according to the poll released Monday. Six in 10 Americans think restoring diplomacy with Cuba is mostly good for the U.S., but views are mixed on whether it will lead to more democracy in Cuba. [...]

In December 2014 Mr. Obama announced that U.S. and Cuba would resume diplomatic ties after more than 50 years. Fifty-eight percent of Americans support this, while just 25 percent oppose it. Most Democrats and independents favor re-establishing diplomacy, while Republicans are divided.

Obama is the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba in nearly 90 years.