The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on December 18, 2014. THE Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) welcomes the agreement between the governments of Cuba and the United States to take steps to normalise relations between the two countries. The release of the three remaining “Cuban Five” who were jailed in the US on false charges of espionage and the decision to renew diplomatic relations are a victory for the Cuban people and government who have faced more than five decades of efforts by the United States to isolate it. The United States has been enforcing an economic blockade on Cuba which needs to be reversed. This is a policy which has no support whatsoever from the international community. The US Congress has to repeal the law in this regard but President Obama can take steps to relax the measures. The CPI(M) along with progressive and democratic forces in India congratulates the Cuban government and people for this important breakthrough.