USA: President Obama made the historic announcement that the US will restart diplomatic relations with Cuba. CUBA: Cuban leader Raul Castro also hailed the move, but urged Obama to use executive action to fully lift the blockade against the island nation. COLOMBIA: FARC rebels announced a unilateral and indefinite cease-fire beginning December 20. ARGENTINA: The MERCOSUR summit ended in Argentina with the signing of five joint statements. MEXICO: German lawmakers criticized the human rights situation in Mexico as disastrous. PALESTINE: Jordan handed the UN Security Council a draft resolution on the Palestinian Statehood.
