Appears to be business as usual for the Obamas as they were pictured landing in Argentina early Wednesday - less than 24 hours after the terror attacks in Brussels, that killed at least 34 people and injured 200, nine of whom were Americans.
'It's always a challenge when you have a terrorist attack anywhere in the world, particularly in this age of 24/7 news coverage,' said the president. 'You want to be respectful and understand the gravity of the situation, but the whole premise of terrorism is to try to disrupt people's ordinary lives.'
Obama - accompanied by wife Michelle,
daughters Sasha and Malia - is on a two day official visit to Argentina
having just left Cuba on an historic trip
...handsome family
...handsome family
The family
were seen waving and smiling as they made their way off the private
plane that had just touched down at the international Buenos Aires
airport
President Barack Obama followed by
first lady Michelle Obama, are greeted on the tarmac by Susana Malcorra,
center, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Argentina and Ambassador Betina
Pasquali de Fonseca
After
observing a moment of silence for the hundreds of victims, a relaxed
Obama said: 'This is just one more example of why the entire world needs
to unite against these terrorists.'
'The notion that any political agenda would justify the killing of innocent people like this is ... is beyond the pale.'
Obama
said, 'We are gonna continue with the over 60 nations that are pounding
ISIL, and we're going to go after them. In the meantime, obviously our
thoughts and prayers are with those who've been lost and hoping for a
speedy recovery or those who've been injured.'
When
asked by ESPN why he had not returned to Washington, the president said
to do so would show the terrorists they have the power to disrupt.
'It's
always a challenge when you have a terrorist attack anywhere in the
world, particularly in this age of 24/7 news coverage,' said the
president. 'You want to be respectful and understand the gravity of the
situation, but the whole premise of terrorism is to try to disrupt
people's ordinary lives.'
Recalling
what he called one of his proudest memories during his time as
president, the reaction of Boston Red Sox' David Ortiz after the Boston
bombings in April 2013, Obama said he felt the hitter spoke for the
nation when he said, 'This is our f**king city and nobody is going to
dictate our freedom.'
'Probably
the only time America didn't have a problem with somebody cursing on
live TV was when he talked about Boston and how strong it was and wasn't
gonna be intimidated,' Obama said.
'That
is the kind of resilience and the kind of strength that we have to
continually show in the face of these terrorists. They cannot defeat
America.'
The president then offered his 'thoughts and prayers' to those affected by the terror attacks.
After
bidding to turn the page on the Cold War in Cuba, President Barack
Obama arrived in Argentina, where campaigners hope he will acknowledge
US backing for its former dictatorship.
Carnage: At least 34 people have died and 200 injured after two explosions rocked Brussels Airport in a suspected terror attack
Shouts in Arabic were reportedly heard
before the explosions which sent shockwaves through the terminal
building, shattering windows
The moment he found out: Obama and his
National Security advisor Susan Rice talk on the phone with Homeland
Security Advisor Lisa Monaco to receive an update on the terrorist
attack in Brussels; He made the call from the residence of the US Chief
of Mission in Havana
No disruption: The president said that changing our way of lives in response to terror is exactly what ISIS want
After
calling for freedom and democracy as he stood alongside Cuba's
Communist leaders, Obama touched down in another Latin American nation
with a history of delicate relations with Washington.
After
a series of historic but at times awkward public appearances with
Cuba's Communist leader Raul Castro, Obama will on Wednesday meet
Argentina's new free market-friendly President Mauricio Macri.
Macri
has reached out to Washington and other foreign powers since taking
office in December after years of combative relations under his leftist
predecessors.
But
the delicate issue of US involvement in Latin America's violent history
will rear its head during his visit to Buenos Aires -- after the Havana
visit touched on sensitivities over human rights in Cuba.
On Thursday morning Obama will pay homage to victims of the "dirty war" by Argentina's dictators against dissidents.
Thursday
marks the 40th anniversary of the military coup that started the
1976-1983 dictatorship. Declassified documents have shown that top US
officials backed the coup.
Obama
arrived in the wee hours of Wednesday with First Lady Michelle Obama,
their two daughters and his mother in law and were received by Foreign
Minister Susana Malcorra.
Later
in the day he will hold talks with Macri, lay a wreath at Buenos Aires
Metropolitan Cathedral and will with local people before attending a
state dinner.
Donald Trump came out against
President Obama after his two Republican rivals, suggesting that the
speech to the Cuban people looked 'ridiculous' in light of today's news
John Kasich followed suit and
suggested that President Obama return home 'immediately' instead of
staying in Cuba through the rest of the day
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz whacked President
Obama this morning for staying put in Cuba instead of coming home to
deal with the terrorist situation in Brussels or heading to the country
Big fans: Barack Obama and Raul Castro
settle down for the historic baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays
and the Cuban national team
Let's play ball: Barack and Michelle Obama react to a play during the baseball, while Raul Castro sits impassively
Before
the speech Obama called Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel 'to offer
his condolences on behalf of the American people following today's
horrific terrorist attacks in Brussels,' the White House said.
'The
President reaffirmed the steadfast support of the United States for
Belgium, and offered any assistance necessary in investigating these
attacks and bringing those responsible to justice,' a statement read.
Obama
further told Michel the U.S. 'stands together with the people of
Belgium' and the European Union 'and once again pledged the full
cooperation and support of the United States in our shared commitment to
defeat the scourge of terrorism.'
The
White House said this morning that U.S. officials have been in close
contact with their Belgian counterparts on the explosions at the
Brussels Airport and a subway station near the EU headquarters that
began just before 8 am local time.
ISIS
has claimed responsibility for the blasts at Brussels Airport and a
metro station that have left at least 34 people dead, and nearly 200
injured, including nine Americans.
The country will observe three days of national mourning, and flags will be flown at half-mast.
...Sasha looking fierce
Day out: Obama with the First Family and Cuban President Raul Castro attending the historic baseball game in Havana, Cuba
In
his speech, Obama said, 'We will do whatever is necessary to support
our friend and ally Belgium in bringing to justice whoever is
responsible and this is yet another reminder that the world must unite'
TROUBLED TIMES: Obama said the
'thoughts and the prayers of the American people' are with the people of
Belgium' today during a speech this morning following the Brussels
terrorist attacks that killed at least two dozen people today
The
only suspect from last year's Paris attacks that left 130 dead still
believed to be alive, Salah Abdeslam, was arrested in Belgium last week.
The Belgian government was unable to say in the wake of today's
bombings if the events were related.
The
U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it is 'closely monitoring'
the situation in Brussels and said via Twitter it 'will not hesitate to
adjust our security posture, as appropriate, to protect the American
people.'
It
also also the public to report any suspicious activity to local law
enforcement but did not sent out a bulletin through the National Terror
Advisory System.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch was also briefed on the attacks, the Justice Department told the Associated Press.
Secretary of State John Kerry, who is also on travel in Cuba, sent his condolences to the Belgian people over Twitter.
'We
stand w/Belgium & Europe in the face of this tragedy. Attacks like
these only deepen shared resolve to defeat terrorism around the world,'
he said.
'The United States stands with people of Belgium. We are ready to support the investigation as appropriate,' said State.
The
U.S. Embassy in Brussels posted an advisory recommending 'sheltering in
place' and advised against taking public transportation.
It warned Americans in the country to 'take the appropriate steps to bolster your personal security.'
Obama's speech was to be the crescendo
of of his 48-hour trip to Havana. A visit 18 months in the making, the
U.S. president, with less than a year left in his term, his remarks
focused on the renewed bonds between Cuba and the United States
following more than 50 years of estrangement
In Havana, Obama addressed the Belgium terrorist attack then proceeded with his prepared remarks on reconciliation and rights.
'I
have come here to bury the last remnant of the Cold War in the
Americas,' Obama said fro mthe Gran Teatro de la Habana Alicia Alonso as
he addressed the country's dictator, Raul Castro, and its citizens. 'I
have come here to extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people.'
Obama
said, 'I believe in the Cuban people. This is not just a policy of
normalizing relations with the Cuban government, the United States is
normalizing relations with the Cuban people.'
The American president said it is time to lift a decades-old, congressionally-mandated U.S. embargo on travel and trade to Cuba.
'But even if we lifted the embargo tomorrow,' he said, 'Cubans would not realize their potential without change here in Cuba.'
And
Obama declared, 'It should be easier to open a business here in Cuba.'
And the internet should be available all across the island nation, he
said.
'There's no limitation from the United States on the ability of Cuba to take these steps. It's up to you.'
Obama's speech was to be the crescendo of of his 48-hour trip to Havana.
A
visit 18 months in the making, the U.S. president who has less than a
year left in his term focused on the renewed bonds between Cuba and the
United States following more than 50 years of estrangement.
He respectfully disagreed with Castro on human rights and called for the free exchange of ideas.
Speaking
'as a friend,' Obama said that healthcare, education and environmental
protection are important aspects of government but so are fundamental
freedoms that the United States government believes are universal.
Obama
told the authoritarian government officials present that 'over time the
youth will lose hope' if the government continues to restrict their
activities.
Castro entered before Obama to
thunderous applause. The Cuban dictator waved and spread out his arms to
the people above and below him for several minutes before Obama entered
the theater
...elegant and lovely in fushia
As Obama was due to begin speaking,
famed Cuban ballerina Alicia Alonso, the namesake of the 94-year-old
theater, joined the box reserved for Cuban dignitaries
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