¿Que bolá Cuba? Just touched down here, looking forward to meeting and hearing directly from the Cuban people.
— President Obama (@POTUS) March 20, 2016
President Obama is wheels down in Cuba, everybody!
Air Force One comes to a stop on the tarmac at Jose Marti Airport in Cuba. pic.twitter.com/ZADuZv1ZdE
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 20, 2016
Pres Obama and family step off Air Force One – in the rain. pic.twitter.com/Pcn8MvunN8
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 20, 2016
Raul Castro, however, was not at the airport to meet Air Force One:
Raul Castro doesn't greet @BarackObama at Havana airport. #CubaVisit
— Jay Solomon (@WSJSolomon) March 20, 2016
US @Potus snubbed right away. He shows up w/entire family, to be met by functionaries. Raul Castro missing. More embarrassments to come.
— Mike Gonzalez (@Gundisalvus) March 20, 2016
Although there is some question if it’s protocol or not for Castro to be there:
Raul Castro did not come to airport to greet Obama, but that's not unusual. He received Pope Francis on tarmac, but it's not prez protocol
— Nick Miroff (@NickMiroff) March 20, 2016
GOP front-runner Donald Trump has an opinion, however, and tweeted that this shows the president “no respect”:
Wow, President Obama just landed in Cuba, a big deal, and Raul Castro wasn't even there to greet him. He greeted Pope and others. No respect
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 20, 2016
Update 7.23. Trump is hosting the Palm Beach Republican Club’s Lincoln Day dinner at Mar-a-Lago and had this to say about Obama and Castro:
Trump on Raul Castro not greeting President Obama: "Obama should’ve turned the plane around and left!"
— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) March 20, 2016
Trump is guaranteeing that Cuba will sue the United States, including over Guantanamo. Pledges to keep it open and "put more in there."
— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) March 20, 2016
Well, Trump isn’t wrong:
Raul Castro has arrived at the airport to greet Pope Francis. What an amazing time to be in Cuba @WFLA pic.twitter.com/SuNpTS6hjI
— Jeff Patterson (@WFLAJeff) February 12, 2016
Pope Francis walks with Raúl Castro at Jose Marti airport. His 2nd visit here in 6 last months. pic.twitter.com/XSsb6tLT6O
— Bob Hansen (@WFLAHansen) February 12, 2016
Editor’s note: This post has been updated.
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Related:
Obama team jubilant about Cuba trip; Meanwhile ‘dozens’ of dissidents are arrested https://t.co/ibcZUDopk8
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) March 20, 2016
