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The United States (US) reopened its embassy in Cuba on Friday after more than 54 years when it was closed.

The US flag was raised by the same US marines who brought it down in 1961.

The reopening is a symbolic step signalling the warming of ties between both countries.

John Kerry, the first US secretary of state to visit Cuba in 70 years, presided over the ceremony in Havana, capital of the country.

Cuba reopened its embassy in Washington last month. But issues remain, with Cuban leader Fidel Castro blasting the US for not lifting its trade embargo.

In an open letter on Thursday, Castro said the US owed Cuba millions of dollars because of its 53-year-long embargo. The letter makes no mention of the reopening of the US embassy.

Castro said his country would not stop fighting for peace and the well-being of all humanity.

He added that the US social justice must be consolidated so that all people may have access to education, health and nutrition.

He said they should also have access to security and the right to worship regardless of the colors of their skin or countries of origin.

The veteran revolutionary also denounced wars and recalled the millions of casualties that the Soviet Union and China suffered during World War II, as well as immense material losses.

He said during the war the US kept its territory and industries, and the richest and most well-armed country on earth, while other countries counted their dead.

Photo credit: BBC