A couple of days ago, the Cuban Assembly greeted the three convicted spies released by the U.S.  This is the swap for Mr. Gross that everybody does not want to call a swap.

Elian Gonzalez, the boy found in the ocean and sent back to Cuba, was there, too.  He must be a young adult by now!  His presence was a message to the U.S.!

And Raul Castro closed the event with a speech:

It was a week of triumph for Raul Castro. A prisoner swap between Washington and Havana meant all five of the imprisoned Cuban spies were finally home. The Cuban prisoners were known as “anti-terrorist heroes” and were guests of honor at Cuba’s Assembly and given a prolonged standing ovation.

Then, during his televised address, Castro spoke of his other achievement, ending half a century of diplomatic isolation from the United States. He acknowledged that big differences remain between the two countries, though they could now discuss them on equal terms.

But don’t expect Cuba to change, he said.

“No one should think that in order to improve relations with the United States Cuba should renounce the ideas for which it has fought for over a century. In the same manner that we have never tried to have the United States to change its political system, we will demand respect for ours,” Castro said.

President Castro also called on Obama to use his executive powers to ease the decades-old economic trade embargo and to take Cuba off the list of state sponsors of terrorism. To this end, he made the following pledge:

“From Cuba, no terrorist act has ever been organized, financed or carried out against any US person, interest or territory and it will never be allowed,” Castro said.

You can't make this up!   

First, I'm sure that Raul Castro knows a thing or two about issuing unilateral executive orders!

Second, the Castro regime did order the shooting down of a plane over international waters in February 1996.  It killed four Cuban-Americans, or U.S. citizens.  I would call that terror.  It was one of the big reasons why those men were sitting in one of our prisons.

Third, we learned that the Cuban government will not send back fugitives from U.S. law, such as the lady who killed a police officer in Philadelphia.  They call it "asylum"!

Raul Castro's speech was "in your face" Obama.   It confirmed that the Castro regime has no plans to change.  He is still that same dictator after all these years.  

The Obama White House cannot be happy with Raul's speech.  However, this is what happens when you coddle dictators.   They show you no respect even after you've thrown them a lifeline.

P.S. You can hear CANTO TALK here & follow me on Twitter @ scantojr.