As the article states He's the first American president to visit the island since Calvin Coolidge, 88 years ago. The process to improve diplomatic relations with Cuba was started over two years ago by the administration with the current result of hopefully a new dawn of relationship with our near neighbor. The story of Cuba and our relationship is markedly similar to other dictatorships where we backed a pro-American dictator that fell out of favor with his own people. It is time to move on. I remember a time shortly after the Vietnam War that we politically balked at resuming relationships with Vietnam, yet today we fully recognize them and have active trade and tourism with them. It may take a bit (for both sides) to see this come to fruition in Cuba as well, but come it will. 

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/03/20/471190812/president-obama-touches-down-in-cuba-commencing-a-historic-visit