Notre Dame professor sheds light on USA and Cuban relationship

 SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Political Science professor Luis Fraga and Notre Dame student Roberto De La Noval both agreed they were surprised by President Obama's decision to improve the relationship between the United States and Cuba. 

Although surprised, the two Latino-Americans agreed this would be a welcomed change. 

De La Noval is a Cuban-American from Miami, Florida. He says he's happy about the shift in relationship but he has a reservations. 

"I'm cautiously optimistic," says De La Noval. "I worry as we continue to move forward, we'll forget the real human rights abuses and problems with the Cuban government."

Professor Fraga says this decision is a "major step forward".

He believes this is a chance for growth, for both sides. 

"I have also learned that theconsequencess of the embargo for the Cuban public were and have always been absolutely devastating," says Fraga. 

So, should the embargo be lifted, he says Cubans are in store for better times. 

“Any opportunity for greater economic security, any opportunity for better long-term better paying jobs, any opportunity for developing further sustainable sectors of their economy, I have to think would be very welcomed,” says Fraga. 

As for Roberto, he says he wants people to remember this isn't about Americans swooping in to save the day. 

"I want to watch and I want to see America really invest in the rights of the Cuban people and the flourishing of the Cuban people not simply the flourishing of American economic interest," says De La Noval. 

This announcement has sparked a lot of skepticism from lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle but President Obama says he's hoping to work with Congress to end this 50 year hostility.