For the first time in 88 years, a U.S. President traveled to Cuba. In December of 2014, President Barack Obama vowed to improve relations with Cuba. In 2015, the U.S. Embassy in Havana and the Cuban Embassy in Washington D.C. reopened, which gave American diplomats the freedom to travel across Cuba and connect with its citizens.

This week Obama traveled to Cuba to meet with Cuba’s President Raul Castro to discuss the differences between the two which is a step in the right direction. They would not agree on some policies like human rights and the type of government Cuba should use. The two had different goals for the future of their countries’ relationship, Obama pushing for a more democratic Cuba and Castro fighting to end the Cuban embargo that was dropped on Cuba by former U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1962. The embargo placed by Kennedy was effective during the Cold War but that was a long time ago and the U.S. should have tried repairing relations between the two years ago.

Cuba needs to move away from their communist government as the world has nearly moved on from the aged political philosophy that the Soviet Union once haughtily advertised to the world trying to brainwash them. Cuba would prove to be a prime example as they would fall prey to the Marxist-Leninist ideology of the twentieth century.

Communism in Cuba has taken a large toll, like leaving Cuba decades behind the majority of the world technologically, economically, militarily and culturally. There is very limited free speech, which should be a right to every human on Earth. Instead of executing or imprisoning a journalist or a citizen, Castro should let them voice their opinion. Informing him of it will make the people of Cuba much happier and their country will definitely benefit from it. They will no longer be afraid to speak up and give their opinion on things in Cuba that matter. Obama needs to push as hard as he can to convince Castro that democracy is not so bad. The Castros have been brainwashed and as time passes it may become harder to change their minds for the better. What Obama should do is invite Castro on a tour of America where he could see how nice democracy can be. Besides the last two administrations have being atrocious, America is still many decades ahead of Cuba in the modern era.

Obama attended an American-Cuban baseball game in Havana on Tuesday between the Major League Baseball’s own Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban National team which broke a cultural barrier between the two countries. For the men and women in attendance, they could finally recognize the two nations were not so different after all. Baseball is popular in Cuba so when they find talent on the streets they quickly put effort into developing the players into full potential. One of Cuba’s best prospects in the MLB to date is New York Mets Outfielder, Yoenis Cespedes who is one of the best home run hitters in the league. He won the MLB All-star Home Run Derby back to back years in 2013 and 2014. To add to his impressive achievements he also won a Golden Glove award last season for Left Field. Even though the popularity of baseball in America has diminished over the years it is still America’s pastime, so the sport will always have a special place in America. Baseball is something both countries love so playing a peaceful game on a spring day decreased the tension between the two countries.

There are many paths to making our relationship with Cuba better in the future, but ironically Obama will be leaving office after this year and this new bond will be in the next president’s hands. From Trump, Hillary, Sanders or Cruz (sorry Kasich) they need to continue to improve relations between America and Cuba and not just let this great opportunity disappear.