Signs Of Change In Havana Ahead Of Embassy Re-Opening

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Signs of change in Havana as the U.S. prepares to re-open their embassy.

CBS4 anchor Rick Folbaum is in the capital city for the official flag raising ceremony and noticed something significant right across the street from the building which houses the embassy.

Empty flagpoles.

About 100 flagpoles with no flags flying from them. For years black flags have flown from the poles to commemorate those, who Cuba says, have been killed as a result of what they call the U.S. blockade, better know as the trade embargo.

The removal of the black flags is a sign of the softening of relations between the island nation and the U.S.

Secretary of State John Kerry will be attend the historic ceremonial raising of the American flag Friday morning.

Kerry will be accompanied by a delegation made up of 19 members.

Cuban-American poet and South Florida native Richard Blanco is also going to participate in the ceremony.

Cuban leader Raul Castro and his brother Fidel are not scheduled to attend the event. Also on the list of those not attending are dissidents from Cuba who were not invited. Kerry will meet with them separately later in the day.

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