President Barack Obama on Tuesday defended his decision to stay in Cuba where he attended a baseball game with Cuban President Raúl Castro during the aftermath of the deadly attacks in Brussels.
The commander-in-chief, who was criticized by some on social media after video surfaced of the two leaders doing “the wave” at the game, suggested it would have been a sign of defeat if the attacks derailed the historic visit, Politico reports. “It’s always a challenge when you have a terrorist attack anywhere in the world, particularly in this age of 24/7 news coverage,” Obama told ESPN. “You want to be respectful and understand the gravity of the situation, but the whole premise of terrorism is to try to disrupt people’s ordinary lives.”
The President recalled a pre-game speech given by former Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz, who told fans that “nobody is going to dictate our freedom” after the 2013 Boston marathon bombing. “That is the kind of resilience and the kind of strength that we have to continually show in the face of these terrorists. They cannot defeat America,” the President said.
See Photos from President Barack Obama’s Trip to Cuba
U.S. President Barack Obama, right, and Cuban President Raul Castro wave to fans as they arrive for a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban national baseball team in Havana on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Rebecca Blackwell—APPresident Obama and his family watch a baseball game with Cuban President Castro in Havana on March 22.Jonathan Ernst—ReutersPresident Obama and Salvador Valdes Mesa (R) pay tribute to Jose Marti at the Revolution Square in Havana, on March 21, 2016. Xinhua Press/CorbisRaul Castro, Michelle Obama and President Obama greet before a state dinner at the Palace of the Revolution, in Havana, on March 21, 2016.Chip Somodevilla—Getty ImagesCuban President Raul Castro, right, raises the hand of U.S. President Barack Obama during a joint press conference at the Revolution Palace in Havana on March 21, 2016. AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Barack Obama lays a wreath for Cuban hero Jose Marti at Revolution Square in Havana, on March 21, 2016. Alejandro Ernesto—EPAU.S. President Barack Obama and Cuba's President Raul Castro hold their first meeting of Obama's visit to Cuba on March 21, 2016. Carlos Barria—ReutersPresident Barack Obama and Cuba's President Raul Castro shake hands during the U.S. President's historic trip to Cuba – the first by a sitting president in 88 years - on March 21, 2016. The meeting, held in Havana, will pave the way for closer economic ties between the two countries, more than 50 years after Cuba's revolution. Carlos Barria—ReutersPresident Barack Obama and President Raul Castro review troops before bilateral meetings at the Palace of the Revolution on March 21, 2016 in Havana.Chip Somodevilla—Getty ImagesA car passes by a house decorated with the flags of the United States and Cuba in Havana, on March 20 2016.Orlando Barria—EPAThis photo released by the White House shows President Barack Obama greeting hotel workers in Havana on March 20, 2016. Official White House Photo—Pete SouzaA Cuban woman poses for a picture with a sign displaying images of Cuban and U.S. Presidents Raul Castro and Barack Obama in Havana on March 19, 2016. Yuri Cortez—AFP/Getty ImagesIn this photo released by the White House, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Malia and Sasha greet dignitaries upon arrival in Havana on March 20, 2016. Official White House Photo—Pete SouzaIn this photo released by the White House, President Barack Obama joins others in looking out the window of Air Force One on final approach into Havana on March 20, 2016. Official White House Photo—Pete SouzaCuban citizens wacth as Air Force One lands at Jose Marti Airport in Havana on March 20, 2016. Rolando Pujol—EPA
Obama was watching a historic matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban national team when he was asked to weigh in on the coordinated attacks in the Belgian capital that left 31 people dead and at least 190 wounded. In an earlier speech in Cuba, he addressed the devastating bombings, saying the American people “stand in solidarity” with Belgium. “We will do whatever is necessary to support our friends and allies in Belgium in bringing to justice those who are responsible,” he said at the time. “This is yet another reminder that the world must unite.”
Obama told ESPN that he and other world leaders were committed to bringing extremists down. “We are going to continue with the over 60 nations that are pounding ISIL, and we’re going to go after them,” he said, using another name for the terrorist group. “The notion that any political agenda would justify the killing of innocent people like this is something that’s beyond the pale.”
