(ANSA) - New York, December 17 - The United States is set to announce the scrapping of travel and money-transfer restrictions to Cuba, the American media reported on Wednesday ahead of a speech by President Barack Obama. The reports come after Washington announced a prisoner swap deal involving the release of American Alan Gross by Cuba and three Cubans convicted of spying in the US.
The Vatican reportedly played the role of guarantor in the negotiations between the United States and Cuba that started last year, the American media reported on Wednesday.
Gross, 65, was accused of helping Cubans up to the internet illegally.
According to media reports, Pope Francis sent a letter to United States President Barack Obama and to Cuban leader Raul Castro to help resolve the case of Gross.
The released Cubans are part of the so-called Cuban Five, who prosecutors tried to infiltrate US military bases and spied on Cuban exiles in Florida.
The change in the long-strained relations between the countries means that United States may open an embassy in Havana in the coming months, the American media reported citing government sources.
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