Obama To Critics Of Cuba Policy: 'I Respect Your Passion'

President Obama says he respects the opinion of the many people who oppose his dramatic change in policy toward Cuba. “To those who oppose the steps I’m announcing today, let me say that I respect your passion and share your commitment to liberty and democracy,” Obama said.

But Obama says it’s time to change the policy. He says it was obvious to him that it hadn’t made a difference in changing the status of democracy in Cuba.

Obama urged Cubans who were concerned about America’s attempt to “colonize” the country to put their grievances behind them.