The Cuban flag was raised over its newly reopened embassy in Washington, D.C. Monday, marking the end of a five-decade long disconnection between the two countries, reports Reuters. The embassy has been closed since 1961 under the direction of Dwight Eisenhower, who then severed ties with Communist revolutionary Fidel Castro.

Cuban President Raul Castro is also urging President Obama to use his executive power to further dismantle the continuing economic embargo between Cuba and the U.S., the report states. In return, Obama is asking for "improvement on human rights."

It was reported that a three-man military honor guard marched on the front lawn of the Cuban embassy as chants of "Cuba, yes" were shouted from the crowd. Some shouted "No!" to the embargo, others shouted "No!" to Fidel Castro.

The U.S. embassy also reopened in Cuba, though with much less pomp. One sign said, "Welcome USA." It will raise the American flag on the premises in August.

The Cuban flag flies a day earlier than the American flag was lowered at the White House in the wake of the murders of five military servicemen on U.S. soil. Obama waited until Tuesday to give the order to honor those lives lost five days ago.