Cubans allow U.S. to fly through airspace for Haiti relief efforts

WASHINGTON–The White House announced Friday morning that the earthquake in Haiti caused a slight thaw in relations: the governments agreed to let U.S. aircraft use the U.S. naval station in Guantanamo Bay (yes, more there than the prison there) and airspace to help in Haiti relief efforts.

From White House spokesman Tommy Vietor: “We have coordinated with the Cuban government for authorization to fly medical evacuation flights from the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to Miami, FL through Cuban airspace, cutting 90 minutes off one-way flight time.”

And this: “At approximately 10:15pm (Thursday), the President received an update from Deputy National Security Advisor Tom Donilon on our relief efforts, the situation on the ground in Haiti, and tonight’s Deputies Committee meeting.”