In response to President Obama's announcement on the shift in the Administration's policy on Cuba, Oxfam America's president Raymond C. Offenheiser made the following statement:
"We welcome today’s announcement restoring diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States. The resilience of Cuba’s citizens and Cuba’s commitment to an economic path that prioritizes poverty reduction has been a notable achievement under extremely challenging conditions.
"The thaw in diplomatic relations brings the possibility of further progress as well as strengthening of inter-American relations. Oxfam has worked in close partnership with communities in Cuba since 1991 and we will continue to do so as the implications of today’s announcement take shape.
"We commend President Obama for taking bold action to right the wrong of decades-long failed US policies toward Cuba."