Hours after another European nation came under attack from Islamic terrorists, President Obama attended a baseball game in Cuba where he did “The Wave” with dictator Raul Castro.
Looks like normalization of relations includes “the wave.” pic.twitter.com/9AbQR5BvCr
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 22, 2016
Obama sat next to Castro at the MLB exhibition game, which was held between the Cuban National Team and the Tampa Bay Rays.
and here it is: Obama doing the wave pic.twitter.com/1erVpjEVYN
— Colin Campbell (@BKcolin) March 22, 2016
Earlier in the day, terrorists affiliated with ISIS killed more than 30 in coordinated bombings on the Brussels airport and metro system. Obama addressed the attacks earlier on Tuesday, but only briefly. He spent just 50 seconds discussing the bombings before moving on to other topics during a press conference.
Obama and Castro did stand for a moment of silence at the game to acknowledge the attacks.
Presidents Obama and Castro stand for a minute of silence for the loss of life in terror attacks in Belgium. pic.twitter.com/xYy6hocSLC
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 22, 2016
The presidents rise again for Cuban and US national anthems. Hands over hearts for the Star Spangled Banner. pic.twitter.com/uQsHmhribr
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 22, 2016
Obama has been criticized heavily during his three-day Cuba visit. On Monday he posed as part of a photo-op in front of a mural of Argentinian Marxist and murderer Che Guevara. (RELATED: Obama Snaps Pics In Front Of Che Guevara Mural)
He also stirred controversy when he accepted Castro’s criticism of “shortcomings in the United States around basic needs for people in poverty and inequality and race relations.”
“I actually welcome President Castro commenting on some of the areas where he feels we’re falling short because I think we should not be immune or afraid of criticism or discussion as well,” Obama said.