The United States and Cuba announced Wednesday they would reopen embassies in each other's countries as they move toward restoring full diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of hostility. But in a speech to a local chamber of commerce in Kentucky on Thursday, McConnell called Cuba a thuggish regime that has become a haven for criminals fleeing prosecution in the United States.
McConnell says he has seen no evidence that normalizing relations with Cuba has changed the country's behavior toward the United States. He also says Senate Republicans would resist any legislation offering to lift restrictions on Cuba, which has been advocated by Democratic President Barack Obama.
