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President Barack Obama and His Family Arrived in Cuba; Donald Trump Defended Campaign Manager Corey Lewandowski. Aired 5-6p ET

Aired March 20, 2016 - 17:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:00:19] POPPY HARLOW, CNN HOST: It is 5:00 here on the east coast. It is so glad you are with us.

History has just been made. I'm Poppy Harlow. And tonight all eyes are on Cuba. Remember this day. It is a defining day in American History, March 20th, 2016, the day that the president of the United States walked off Air Force One and walked on to Cuban soil.

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HARLOW: The last time a sitting U.S. president stepped into the Cuba, 1928. That is when then President Calvin Coolidge sailed there aboard a battleship from Florida. President Obama surprised the world when just 15 months ago, he announced that the decades-long freeze in relations between Cuba and the United States was ending. Well, today he and the first family walked the walk. They are now standing on a new clean page of U.S. history.

The first family will be in Cuba until Tuesday. They have many activities plans. The main event tomorrow that is when President Obama sits down face-to-face with Cuban president Raul Castro. This will be their first meeting in Cuba.

I want to take you straight to Havana. My friend, my colleague Chris Cuomo is there.

What a moment Chris to be there. I know the weather isn't cooperating. It is a little bit of a downpour behind you. But tell me what it is like to be there and also the fact that president Castro wasn't there to meet the president at the airport.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Look. You framed it the right way, Poppy. But it is all about perspective. Think about it. Your child, we know you are really close now, when your child comes into the world, it will be a different relationship between the U.S. and Cuba than you and I have known, OK.

HARLOW: Yes.

CUOMO: For generations of Cubans, they were told this would never happen. And is this rainy? Yes. The air was thick with anticipation and then the clouds opened up. An old man told me in the square in front of the bureau that Fidel brought (INAUDIBLE), the rain, that these were (INAUDIBLE), the tears of the revolution.

So there are going to be different takes on this. But there are some absolutes. When you are watching happen right now. President Barack Obama who made this moment possible with the first lady, and his daughters, and his mother-in-law, when he touched down on Cuban soil, that had never happened before. You're right with the historical context with President Coolidge in 1928. But that was pre-revolution, post-revolution. This is a different Cuba. This is a different reality. They have been taught different things about America, the imperialists, the oppressor, and now that ends today. What it means going forward, well, that's different and what we are here to talk about.

Let me bring in Patrick Oppmann and Jim Acosta. I didn't forget Poppy's question, Patrick. She saying what about Raul not being here? He was here for the Pope. We all saw it. It was big. I'm told sources close to planning this trip say there is no reason it make the biggest moment the first. And by the way, it wouldn't have been history if they met because the president of the United States and president of Cuba have met. They met in Central America. They shook hands in South America. So what do you think -- in South Africa and the U.N.

PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They talked before and they will be spending a lot of time together on this trip.

CUOMO: So this is true but cover and how much of that is OK?

OPPMANN: We are going cautiously. He want friendly relations but these countries will probably never be friends. As our government officials tells me here, they want to be able to coexist which they have never done. But we are talking about, you know, a new day. This is a lot of ways a new world with the revolution and every country but Mexico, broke relations in the hemisphere with Cuba. You know, up until last year, we were the only country in Hemisphere that didn't have (INAUDIBLE) with Cuba. We went to isolate Cuba. United States end up isolating ourselves.

CUOMO: But this means more for Cuba and for Cubans than it does for the United States. I mean, the embargo isn't hurting the U.S. except this generation, two generations of Cuban Americans who lost so much here, who are worried about the perceptions of Castros and the realities of the Castros and wanted America to be a defender. Someone that wouldn't turn blind eye to those wrongs. All that is in play right now.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes. It is like a big Peaya (ph) right now. There is a lot of mix of different things going on here, Chris.

You know, one thing that we can say about this is that this is going to be a diplomatic dance for President Obama. You know, he is coming in. He wants to show the world that the president of the United States and his family have come to Cuba. But at the same time, you know, the White House made it very clear. He is going to talk about the rights of Cubans and how he wants to see those rights broadened. He wants freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly. Those are things that are not enjoyed broadly here in Cuba. So the president wants to get that message across.

But in terms of what is at stake for the Cubans, the greatest natural resource forts Cubans has almost its opposition to the United States. Well, President Obama is now trying to take that off the table. And you know, Cuba can't count on the Soviet Union any more. Can't count on the petrol dollars coming from Venezuela anymore. They need the United States. And as Patrick said, the United States was so isolated in Latin-America, in a sense they need Cuba. They have been talking about the Colombian peace process in the context of these talks with the Cuban officials. And so they are hoping that this pays dividends on a lot of different fronts.

[17:05:25] CUOMO: Earlier today, it was a beautiful day, by the way, before the rain came. The rain here for weeks as Patrick Oppmann keeps on blaming on me. Right now, we are seeing something that you don't see the way when it was El Papa. When the Pope came, there were pictures of him all over Havana and beyond. This is one of the rare images of President Raul Castro and President Obama. The significance, Patrick.

OPPMANN: One of the very few. It just show how cautious. I have to tell you, I have worked with officials and a lot of big events. Now, I have never seen them more tense, more concern. The narrative here breaks with their entire life that United States is blame, the enemy. You know, last U.S. invasion was the Bay of Pigs. And then they will always stand up to the U.S. Well, you know, maybe that one in respect from a lot of countries around the world but it broke the economy here. And I think Cuban officials tell me again and again we want a normal country. And part of that is having normalize relations with the U.S. So, you know, it is going to be slow moving forward.

But President Obama has something in common with most Cubans that Raul Castro doesn't, which is that he wasn't born when the revolution took place. He also is of African heritage. So it look when you seem someone with a recognized, you know, that meeting you covered in Panama, you know, Raul Castro railing against the U.S. and saying I can't blame you because you weren't even alive then.

ACOSTA: He likes president Obama.

OPPMANN: He does.

ACOSTA: And during pros press conference I ask --

CUOMO: Which by the way, that is a plus/minus also. It is a lot of political opponents would be there. You know, that is what is wrong with President Obama. That is a guy that Raul Castro likes him and fair or unfair.

ACOSTA: That's right. Ted Cruz just put on a statement a few moments ago saying that the president by visiting Cuba is legitimizing a brutal dictatorship. Those are essentially the words coming from Ted Cruz. But you are right. It does cut both ways in terms of the president's relationship with Raul Castro. But when I asked President Obama, because Raul says sure I trust President Obama. I asked President Obama, do you trust Raul Castro during that press conference in Panama, he didn't answer the question. He didn't say yes I trust Raul Castro.

SO this is going to take time. It took 50 years or 60 years to get to this point. It is not going to change overnight. This is the first step in the process. Yes, Raul Castro did not come and meet President Obama at the airport. I don't think this is a diplomatic disaster from the word go. We, like Patrick said, we have a few days to get through together. Few mojitos would be drink along the way. Few cigars will be smoked.

CUOMO: And I'm being told they knew that President Castro wouldn't be here to meet him when he got off the plane. So this isn't something where President Obama was surprised. Any intrigue like that is simply unfounded on the basis of fact as we understand it right now.

OPPMANN: Every moment has been planned. The U.S. and Cuba, since the embassy opening, have been working more closely than ever. It used to be if you were a U.S. diplomat here, you were completely isolated. You have one meeting to Cuban official and that was about it. They spied on you. They harassed you. Didn't work with you. That is strange. But it is going to be hard. It took 10 administrations, U.S. administrations, to get where we are now. If it was easy, it would have happened earlier.

CUOMO: Patrick Oppmann, Jim Acosta, thank you very much.

We are going to get dried off here and then we are going to continue our special coverage from Havana. History has just been made. And there's a lot more to come.

So coming up, we are going to show that the first family is going to take part in a big embassy meet and greet, another first. It set to tour the family the streets of old Havana in the rain. We will take you there live. Stay with us.

So, what we just saw, just a reminder, if we can get a picture up there, United States finally has a president, since the revolution, setting foot on Cuban soil. That's a good thing for a lot of people. It is a scary thing for a lot of people. But to be sure, it ends more than half a century of strained relationships. We are going to have CNN's Patrick Oppmann. He is going to take a look at how we got to where we are right now. There's a lot of history. Here is how the story has gone.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OPPMANN: It is the communist island just 90 miles off the United States and for more than 50 years relations between Cuba and the United States have been chilly at best until now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fidel Castro in Cuba. Castro and his (INAUDIBLE) were joyously acclaimed following his incredible victory over Bautista. OPPMANN: 1959, Fidel Castro leads an army of thousands into Havana

forcing out the dictator at the time and becomes the country's new leader. There were high hopes for the young revolutionary but almost immediately confrontation begins with the United States.

The U.S. places an embargo on Cuba and soon after breaks off diplomatic relations. Later, the infamous failed U.S. invasion at the Bay of Pigs. The CIA hatches plots to assassinate Castro. Hundreds of plots according to the Cubans. And soon the Soviet Union secretly deploys nuclear missiles to Cuba.

[17:10:04] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Regard any nuclear missile launch from Cuba against any nation in the western hemisphere as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States.

OPPMANN: The Cuban missile crisis lasts just two weeks. But Cuba and the United States remained locked in cold war tensions for decades. In 198 0 an exodus as more than 100,000 Cubans come to the United States after Castro loosens restrictions.

Two decades later, another Cuban leaving by boat, 6-year-old Elan Gonzalez. His arrival in the United States sparks custody battle chess trance forms into a propaganda victory. Fidel Castro said he expected to die while in power. But in 2006, a mystery illness forces him to step down. His brother Raul takes over. And in 2015, that's what many consider to be unthinkable, restores diplomatic relations with Cuba's longtime nemesis, the United States.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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[17:14:28] HARLOW: President Obama getting a red carpet welcome in a nation once viewed as enemy territory. Just five decades ago, the Cuban missile crisis triggered worldwide fear. Now the page has been turned. You're watching an extraordinary moment at the final year of President Obama's time in office. No sitting U.S. president has set foot on Cuban soil in 88 years. That all changed just one hour ago. President Obama landing with his family on air force one. You see them all there. His decision to thaw diplomatic relations with Cuba was welcomed by some that has been heavily criticized by others. He asked Congress to end the economic sanctions against Cuba. Those date back to the 60s. He used his executive authority to loosen up trade and travel restrictions with Cuba.

Let's talk about this big picture with three people who know it very well. Princeton historian Julian Zelizer, former Nixon presidential library director Tim Naftali, also the author of a book on a Cuban Missile crisis and my colleague friend, Bill Weir. He just spent a long time m Cuba for the debut of his show, "the wonder list." It airs tonight 10:00 p.m. eastern. It is fascinating. Let's watch that and then talk about it. Here is a clip.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[17:15:40] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fish know no politics. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Exactly, exactly. They don't have

boundaries.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. It goes beyond fish. It is (INAUDIBLE) birds. It is even (INAUDIBLE). UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Larvae that are passive migrators.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jesse and Eric are Cuban marine biologists. Fernando is a Cuban-American devoted to using science to trump ideology. He used Castro's love of marine life to open dialogue years before the politicians so he credits manatee diplomacy with the change in cold war tone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think we have a lot to do with that, our science diplomacy, breaking down barriers. From my perspective, I'm a Florida resident. So my work here in Cuba is selfish as well --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're downstream.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm downstream. So whatever happens, if Cuban reefs aren't well protected, if we lose this crown jewel of (INAUDIBLE), Florida suffers, the Gulf of Mexico suffers. New Jersey suffers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Florida is just 90 miles away. But reefs this healthy are impossible to find there anymore.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: Bill, you spent a lot of time in Havana. You spent even more time in the countryside. And we have to remember given how historic this moment is, I think a lot of people that support it think it is this wonderful beautiful thing tied with a bow and things are better. For the average Cuban, it's not.

BILL WEIR, CNN HOST, THE WONDER LIST: No. Not at all. I mean, that's the Bay of Pigs which for those of you that remember anything about the cold war, the idea that we can now scuba diving in the Bay of Pigs is pretty radical but it is overfished because most Cubans have to eat what they catch or what they grow. It is 20 bucks a month, I think. What it is, three quarters of Cubans live on government salary of $20 a month. A gallon of paint per perspective is $5. So you know, you may have your own house for the first time in a long time since Raul sort of had sweeping economic reforms but how do you fix it up, you know? There are filling stations for disposable lighters because the Cuban resolve the end of. You just have to make do when there is never enough of everything. So now, they see a plane landing with the CEO of Marriott getting off.

HARLOW: Right. So people might not know that a lot of executives came with the president, CEO of Marriott, (INAUDIBLE). CEO of airbnb. A number of executives on this trip. A long list of congressmen and women as well.

Tim Naftali to you. People will point to sort of the difference between Raul Castro and call him a pragmatist versus Fidel Castro as the revolutionary. I mean, Raul has talked about reading the president's book and sort of enjoying it and liking him. What's the difference here?

TIMOTHY NAFTALI, FORMER DIRECTOR, NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY: Well, the first thing that this is amazing. This is the end of the last relationship of the cold war. This is it. President Obama has ended the last element of the cold war. So that makes this an enormously important day. Raul Castro was the more revolutionary. He was the committed pro-Soviet member of the family. He had a secret relationship with a soviet union. And went Fidel Castro came to the United States in 1959, Raul sent a delegation to Moscow to say we need your help to radicalize the Cuban army. So the fact that Raul is the one --

HARLOW: Changed.

NAFTALI: Look, the Chinese changed. I mean, imagine (INAUDIBLE). They met Richard Nixon. So the fact of the matter is pragmatism is even capable for idealogs. This is an unbelievable moment. Fidel was, of course, the leader of the country but Raul was a very important member of the pro soviet team around Fidel. And for him now to be embracing American president is a very big moment.

And one more thing I would add. For a long time the Castro brothers had made the embargo, the centerpiece of their argument for explaining why for example the bay of pig says overfished. Now or if Congress acts, Julian will talk about that, but they won't have that argument to make any more to explain why Cuba isn't keeping up.

HARLOW: I'm so glad you brought that point up because what is interesting, Julian, and it so important to point out is that this is not split on party lines. You've got Democratic senator Menendez, who is very against this. You've got Republicans like Jeff Flake of Arizona who say exactly what Tim just said and that is that the Castro regime can no longer use the argument that we suffered economically because of this embargo. That's pointing to Congress to say, lift it.

[17:20:18] JULIAN ZELIZER, PROFESSOR, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY: Yes. I mean, look, the politics and the issue has changed. Part of it was the end of the cold war. And that left Cuba isolated and it doesn't have the same residents that it once did. But if you just look at Congress who has accompanying the president including Jeff Flake, you see why there is opportunities for the president to move forward on this, to avoid the kind of political backlash, the Democrat would have years ago and to potentially build support along with the business interest who are dying to kind of gains and ground in this country to move forward with economic relations.

HARLOW: Is there any chance, quickly, that if a Republican is the next president that opposes it that they would walk it back?

ZELIZER: Well, Senator Cruz certainly is very adamant on this. And as we've seen in the Senate, he is willing to burn a lot of political capital to stop things. So he would do that in the White House as well. But he will face a lot of push back from within his own party. HARLOW: Right. All right, gentlemen, stay with me. A lot more

ahead. Again, a historic day. What a day in American history. Certainly a date we will remember. Also again, I want to remind you, the premier of "the Wonder List" from Cuba tonight. Could not be a more fitting day for to you watch this. Someone had some good planning, clearly. Tonight, 10:00 p.m. eastern only right here on CNN.

Coming up next, we turn to politics, violence among a few at Donald Trump's Tucson rally yesterday. Look.

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HARLOW: A protester sucker punched there. Donald Trump now responding to the outburst. Hear what he said next.

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[17:25:37] HARLOW: You're looking at live pictures now on the left of your screen. People waiting to hear from former president Bill Clinton. He is stumping for his wife in Tucson, Arizona tonight ahead of the primary on Tuesday.

On the right side of your screen, we are awaiting Donald Trump who will make remarks in just a few moments at the Palm Beach County Republican Party dinner. Donald Trump says he does not condone violence at his rallies. Here is what broke out in Tucson at one of his rallies last night.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)

HARLOW: What you see there is a man punching a Trump protester who is being escorted out by security. Police arrested Tony Pettway (ph) for assault with injury. They also arrested a 67-year-old woman last night at that rally for an unrelated incident. Not clear if she was a Trump supporter or a protester.

Also another heated exchange in Arizona yesterday. Trump's campaign manager Corey Lewandowski right on that video, you will see in a moment, appears to grab the collar of one of the protester right there and pull him back. We asked Trump's campaign spokeswoman about the video. She said quote "the video clearly shows that the protester reacting to the man who pulled him not Mr. Lewandowski. Trump does not condone violence at his rallies which are private events paid for by the campaign."

Our Chris Frates joins me from Washington tonight.

Look, Trump was asked about this repeatedly this morning on this week with George Stephanopoulos. What did he say?

CHRIS FRATES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Poppy, he really seemed to defend Corey Lewandowski, his campaign manager and credit his actions. Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TRUMP: -- security at the arena, the police were a little bit lax. I give him credit for spirit. He wanted to take down those horrible profanity-laced signs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRATES: So that latest altercation comes after an incident earlier this month when reporter accused Lewandowski of grabbing her by the arm and getting her backwards as she tried to question Trump at a news conference. That reporter has filed a criminal complaint against Lewandowski. He has, of course, denied touching her at all. But all of this brouhaha over the protest, Poppy, having the Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus weighed in today. He says he thinks law enforcement professionals, not campaign officials, should deal with the protesters.

And this is going to be interesting to watch tomorrow, Poppy. Because Trump who you know has been criticized for not being big enough friend of Israel, he is giving a very closely-watched speech to mid-East policy to a pro-Israel group. But in that speech is expected to draw some silent protests from a number of rabbis and Jewish religious leaders who are accusing Trump of promoting hatred. Some of those rabbis are going to walk out and lead a reading in the hallway outside where Trump is speaking tomorrow, Poppy.

HARLOW: So we will watch for that. That is the APAC conference. Obviously, a big one. Let's talk about the other side of this election. His two opponents, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, and the sort of split the map strategy. It was fascinating to watch Dana Bash asking Kasich this morning on "STATE OF THE UNION' about it over and over again. And Kasich seems to say we're not doing that. We are not splitting the map. That's not our strategy against Trump.

FRATES: Right. And there's been a lot of talk in the Republican establishment, this idea of almost east/west strategy where Cruz, you know, he would focus on taking on Trump in the western states. Places like Arizona, Utah, Idaho, the ones that are up for grabs on Tuesday. Meanwhile maybe Kasich would concentrate on battling Trump in the east. States like New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania. States that come later on in the calendar at the end of April. The idea, of course, being it is a lot easier to take Trump on one on one. And that if both guys play it to their strengths, they could beat Trump and deny him that magic number, that 1237 delegates that he needs to win the nomination and help take the fight to the floor of the convention in Cleveland in July.

Of course, as you pointed out, Poppy, problem with that strategy is that John Kasich was dismissing it today. He told our own Dana Bash, you know, he thinks he could win the issue. He is going to campaign everywhere. A Cruz official also dismissing the idea. So that whole idea of divide and conquer, you know, that whole strategy, is looking pretty unlikely, I think, Poppy.

HARLOW: Yes. I mean, it is interesting to hear Kasich - she was basically saying, why would I do that? Why wouldn't I give everyone in every state the chance to vote for me and get as much as I can. So he says you take a phone call when someone calls. But he wouldn't go further than that.

We will watch Chris Frates. Thank you to my friend from Washington tonight.

[17:30:10] FRATES: Thank you.

HARLOW: I want to point you to a very big night tomorrow on CNN. All five remaining presidential candidates, all the Democrats, all the Republicans, make their case to you, the voter, on the same night only right here on CNN. The final five tomorrow night 8:00 p.m. eastern.

Donald Trump is disrupting traditional Cuban-American politics. How Trump is scooping up votes among Cuban-Americans who are forging a very different path. A fascinating look at this is ahead.

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[17:33:45] HARLOW: A new chapter of world history written tonight in Cuba as President Obama landed there just a short time ago. The first sitting American president in nearly 90 years to set foot on Cuban soil. He and the first family will be there until Tuesday. Tonight they are touring old Havana. Ahead though serious policy discussions, high level meetings on the schedule. But it begins with a striking image. U.S. president who really set forth this historic change, standing there in the rain, in Cuba.

Republican front-runner Donald Trump is shaking up Cuban-American politics. The billionaire businessman's stance on immigration is getting his support among a certain group of Cuban-Americans in Florida. Miami-born and raised Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American himself, he got about 63 percent of the Cuban-American vote in Florida's recent primary. Trump, though, got nearly 20 percent.

Let's talk about all of that with the Atlantic contributor Joshua Alvarez.

Thank you for being with me.

JOSHUA ALVAREZ, CONTRIBUTOR, THE ATLANTIC: Thank you.

HARLOW: You wrote a fascinating piece on this. And you write, how could it be that a Miami-born and raised Cuban-American who (INAUDIBLE) opposed any refresh (ph) Cuba did not win more than 62 percent of Republican Cubans. Why did nearly a fifth of Cuban- Americans there, American Republicans vote for Donald Trump instead? Why?

[17:35:04] ALVAREZ: Right. That's a great question. Other presidential candidates from 2012 and 2008 received around the same amount as Marco Rubio did. Yet Marco Rubio only got 62 percent. Part of this is that it is a different election and Donald Trump is disrupting how Cuban-Americans are thinking about where they stand. And Marco Rubio's calls which have really been kind of very much like any other candidate before him in very strong against any sort of reproach between the U.S. and Cuba. Just not relative to them anymore. They all feel like it is about (INAUDIBLE). HARLOW: They are voting, just we are Americans, we are not Cuban-

Americans, we are Americans.

ALVAREZ: Yes. A huge shift from previous elections. Most Cuban- American have a very strong feeling that by being pro-American, they are also pro-Cuban in the sense that if they support U.S. policy then they will see the overthrow for Fidel Castro.

HARLOW: Your family is from Cuba?

ALVAREZ: They are. My father's side.

HARLOW: Your parents? Your father's side, they came here in the '60s. They have not been back. You have not been back. Ted Cruz, GOP candidate, same thing with his father and his very critical of the president's trip and thawing of relations. Let's listen to Cruz.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TED CRUZ (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So his policy concerning Cuba and Iran both have parallels where he is allowing billions of dollars to go to tyrants, who hate America, who are state sponsors of terrorism, who are fighting against our nation. I think it is a real mistake. I think the president ought to instead be pushing for free Cuba. It is 90 miles off the coast of America. And to go there and essentially act as an apologist, you know, it was really striking. My dad was imprisoned and tortured in Cuba. He fought with Castro in the revolution and he was imprisoned and tortured by Bautista. Then my aunt, (INAUDIBLE), was imprisoned and tortured by Castro. And so, my family has seen firsthand the evil and the oppression in Cuba. And when need to have a president that stands up to our enemy --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: How widely do you believe that sentiment is shared in this country?

ALVAREZ: It is strange because he is speaking to an electorate that's diminishing. It is older Cubans, very old Cubans feel that way generally speaking. And there's less of them around because they are - well, they are dying, you know. They are talking about 80, 90-year- old people.

He also have some middle aged like my father is 60 years old. His generation is sort of divided how they view Cuba in those regards. I mean, that hardline stance is becomes less relative to Cubans themselves. So I would have to ask Cruz who exactly he is addressing. I'm not sure.

HARLOW: Before I let you go. In your reporting for this piece, you did not find a single Cuban-American under 40 who supported any Republican presidential candidate.

ALVAREZ: Not to say they don't exist. It is just they are so (INAUDIBLE). I think what we are seeing is a generational divide. All the Cubans are stain Republican mostly, although ths election, I have spoken to a few who are not sure whether they are going to go with Trump if he wins the nomination. But younger Cuban-Americans identifies Latino and they share certain solidarity with other Latino groups and so Democratic Party is more appealing to them.

HARLOW: Thank you so much. Fascinating read in "the Atlantic." I point everyone to it. You'll be back with us later, thank you. I appreciate it.

ALVAREZ: Thanks.

HARLOW: Straight ahead, we will take you back live it Havana, Cuba. We are just moments ago, President Obama and the first family made history. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:42:15] CUOMO: Well, one thing is for sure, history made. You are looking at a very cloudy and rainy Havana bay. Big beacon there, the El Moro castle, the big lighthouse that guides the way into the bay of Havana. That's where we are in Cuba. And this is where President Barack Obama has made history. No American president has touched foot on America on Cuban soil since the revolution. But now, that has changed. The question is, what else will change?

Right now, President Obama is making his way with the first lady and his daughters and his mother-in-law. And one of the biggest we have seen in an international trip, dozens and dozens of business members and different dignitaries and elected officials from United States are part of this big group coming to visit Cuba. There are now way to a hotel. And that is going to be where the big diplomatic meet and greet is here, the next step in this trip on Cuban soil.

We have Ed Lavendera down on the streets trying to get the temperature of what regular Cuban people think about this, Ed. Because as you well know, you're living this as a journalist but also somebody with Cuban roots. What does this mean to people today?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, it is one of these most highly scrutinized moments in Cuban history what is developing here between the communist country of Cuba and the United States. So clearly, highly scrutinized from the Cuban exile community in the United States.

And also, from ordinary Cubans here on the street, this is the (INAUDIBLE), Chris, the waterfront, and you have probably seen thousands of times as you have seen photos of this city of Havana. Normally, this is a boulevard that is full of people standing along the waterfront there, mingling and talking, and spending an afternoon. Obviously, the rain drawing a lot of people away but it is quite surprising that even though the president of the United States is here for the first time, and so many people around this city have been talking about this moment, it is interesting that I have expected to see many more people out here perhaps that will change.

But what I have noticed is that very few people have a lot of information about what exactly President Obama would be doing during this trip. In fact, over the weekend, communist-run newspaper simply said that President Obama, it was a two-sentence article that President Obama would be meeting with Raul Castro and quote "doing other activities" and just left that. So many people coming up to us and ask is, where is he going to be? What is he going to do? Is he going to be meeting with political activists and dissidents and those sorts of questions many people quite simply in the dark as to exactly what President Obama will be doing.

But we do know that after he meets with the employees of the U.S. embassy there at hotel, that the motorcade and imagine that scene, Chris, the presidential motorcade, which is always impressive to see, no matter where you are in the world, making its way down this famed boulevard that is normally filled with cars like a frozen postcard stuck in the 1950s. And you are going to see this incredibly modern fleet of limousines. In fact, a lot of Cubans have been coming up and asking me about (INAUDIBLE), the beast. They heard about the limousine that the U.S. president rides in. They are anxious to see it. You talk to them about it and they are mesmerized by what a limousine about that might look like. And in a matter of time here, it'll make its way down the famed (INAUDIBLE) here in Havana -- Chris.

CUOMO: Well, in a placed that has a cultural fascination with Americans cars, that, as you know, and they will never have seen an American car like the beast before. And also, one obvious reason, nonpolitical reason why you may not see a lot of people on the street, as you know, (INAUDIBLE), right now. There is a lot of rain coming down.

But this is probably bigger than just the weather. We had somebody give us an understatement before saying this is complicated. And it is. Why do we have the United States warming relations with Cuba? Well, we hear word that Starwood Company is taking over a hotel here. Wants to take over more. So, is this about benevolence and trying to help those oppressed by the Cuban regime or just capitalism? You have that Raul Castro did not meet, the president of Cuba, did not meet the president of the United States when he got off the plane the way he did with the Pope. Then we hear that that was part of the plan, not to have the biggest moment be the first moment and the gentlemen have met before.

Then you have the biggest question which is, is this the right thing for America to do? Do you thaw the relationship? Do you take the first step as President Barack Obama obviously wanted to do? Or do you risk rewarding an oppressive regime and Castro regime? And as long as they are here could there be any real change?

These are all the questions swirling in the air. But one thing is for sure, history has been made. And just ahead, we will discuss the impact of this history. How will President Obama's trip to Cuba affect his legacy and this situation? We're going to dig deeper right after the break. Stay with us.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Detroit is a city where you can come together and have some of the greatest times and at the same time is a dangerous city.

CUOMO (voice-over): For rapper Big Sean, his Grammy nominated track, one man can change the world, is more than just versus. It's a mantra.

BIG SEAN, RAPPER: I do carry the responsibility. No matter what. They made me who I am.

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(END VIDEOTAPE)

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[17:52:34] CUOMO: History to be sure and then after that it all get a little fuzzy about what this means right now. President Obama, the first U.S. president since the revolution here in Cuba to step foot on Cuban soil. The first time air force one certainly has been here.

So, let's fill you in on the latest about what this means. The president has got a big agenda. He just addressed the embassy staff. So let's bring in Jim Acosta here.

What do we know about what he said?

ACOSTA: Yes. The president just visited with staff of the U.S. embassy here in Havana over a nearby hotel. And President Obama mentioned the fact that this is a big moment for him and for this country - for both countries. He said back in 1928, President Coolidge came on a battleship. It took him three days to get here. It took me only three hours. So President Obama talking about the significance of this trip. He also said about his relationship with the Cubans and the Cuban

people. This is a historic visit and a historic opportunity. That goes back to what we were talking about earlier that the president of the United States is taking a big risk making this trip down here investing so much in Cuba and the final year of his administration. What if it doesn't go well? What if the Cubans don't reciprocate? And we saw earlier today an example of one of the challenges here. We saw the ladies in white, this dissident group here in Havana. They held a protest. They were rounded up and arrested on the streets nearby where we are standing right now. This is going to be one of the concerns that president is going to raise here.

CUOMO: The repression is real, so how do you deal with it and find change and that gets you to a whole list of plus and minuses. On the mind aside, and you can give me what the administration is saying on the other side, don't reward the Castros. It is an oppressive regime. They have to leave. And when they leave, that is when you can have change. What is the response?

ACOSTA: The White House says to that, listen. We tried this approach of isolating Cuba with an embargo and not having diplomatic relations for 50 or 60 years, it didn't work. So let's try something new. We are going to see the outcome of that, the beginning of the outcome of that approach this week. Whether or not it works remains to be seen. Did the Cubans and the Castors dig in and say, you know what, we want your money. We want your tourist to come in. But you are not getting anything else. That is not going to work for the United States. And it probably won't work to the next administration. I would assume either side of the aisle coming into the White House. They are not going to want to see posture from the Cubans.

CUOMO: And it is tough to mix capitalism ad characters sometimes. You know, he is bringing this huge (INAUDIBLE) people with him. A lot of them are business people and we know what they are doing. They are dangling opportunity in front of the Cuban people. And that's a very powerful tide. But when you hear that Starwood is going to buy a local hotel, it can muddied that intentionality. This is just about making more money, opening the market so it becomes that playground again. That was part of the fuel of the revolution in the first place.

[17:55:01] ACOSTA: That's right. The Cubans don't want to be Americanized. They don't want Kentucky Fried Chicken and Wal-Mart and Starbucks to pop up all over the place overnight. They might want a couple of those places here. But not all of it overnight.

But you know, at the same time, Chris, you are right. And I think what the White House is saying to all of that is look, this is going to take time. You know, we are not looking for the Cubans to change overnight. We know that this relationship that we are starting here, you know, this is the beginning of something. It is not the end of something.

And you know, when I asked President Obama about this earlier in April of 2015 in Panama, you know, he indicated that e is not really sure himself how this is going to turn out. By bringing his family here, the first lady and daughters are about to walk around old Havana, it is almost - it is like a spring break field trip or for the daughters here. He is very personally invested in this. And I think it shows a lot about what he thinks about this risk that he is taking here.

CUOMO: What it mean, what it becomes, he can't control. But what he could control he did. And he made history here today. Let's see where it goes from here.

Jim, always happy to witness history with you.

So Poppy, back to you in New York. Very interesting. Somebody here in (INAUDIBLE), the old plaza here. I said so no Internet, would you like that to change? And the person said, what is that matter if I had the Internet if I am not free to say what I want.

HARLOW: Wow.

CUOMO: That's just shows how deep the need is here in Cuba.

HARLOW: Yes. It absolutely does. And as you pointed out, Chris, so rightly, things do not change overnight. But a page has certainly been turned here today in the last few hours.

Chris, thank you.

Chris is with us live for the next hour from Havana. Much, much more ahead. We are waiting on the presidential motorcade as well as the first family will tour old Havana tonight despite all the rain. They are going to see the sites which is quite a moment for all of them. Of course, the girls there as well with their mother and father.

Also ahead this hour we are keeping an eye on two events. Take a look. On the left of the screen, they are awaiting former president Bill Clinton. He is set to campaign for his wife in Tucson, Arizona. And on the right, Donald Trump set to speak tonight at the Palm Beach County, the Republican Party dinner there in Florida. We will have all of this straight ahead. Stay with us.

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