Some Hail US-Cuba Deal. Others, Not So Much…

President Barack Obama's move to restore a relationship between the United States and Cuba is being met with mixed reactions.

In a televised White House statement Wednesday, the president announced steps to re-establish a U.S. embassy in Havana, restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba broken in 1961.

"We want to see greater freedom, great real prosperity, greater tune for ordinary Cubans," the president said.

While some are celebrating, others are protesting the developments that have two countries that were once on the brink of war now preparing to open embassies.

It's a deal that's said to have been in the works for years, but the final agreement took place after Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro spoke on the phone Tuesday - and after Cuba's release of U.S. government contractor Alan Gross and another American intelligence operative in exchange for Cuban spies held in the United States.

Gross, 65, was imprisoned for five years.

"I'm incredibly blessed to finally have the freedom to resume a positive and constructive life," Gross said.

The deal is the beginning of the end of five decades of the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba.

It calls for a review of Cuba's status as a state sponsor of terrorism, clears the path for the United States to open an embassy in Havana, and opens the door for Americans to visit the largest island in the Caribbean.

"I think it's great. It's about time," William Feldman, a Cuban American, said.

"Getting back a lot of our Cuban heritage and going to see our family will be easier," Ileana Ferrandiz, another Cuban American, said.

But with the celebration of the historic move, there's also protest.

In places like Miami's Little Havana community there are outcries from families who lost loved ones in 1996 when Cuban fighters shot their planes down.

"Obama is a coward," one Miami resident said.

Another said, "That's the worst president for many years."

Meanwhile in Washington, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also spoke out against the deal, calling Obama the worst negotiator since Jimmy Carter.

"These changes will only lead to greater wealth and influence for this oppressive regime, especially the military," Rubio said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is vowing to block the opening of a U.S. embassy in Cuba. And presidential hopeful Jeb Bush is also weighing in, calling the deal "massive executive overreach."