Free Republic

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says a high-ranking presidential adviser and the top diplomat to Cuba will represent the United States at Fidel Castro’s funeral. Earnest is emphasizing that the two are not part of a formal delegation to the service, but the appearance of deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes and Jeffrey DeLaurentis shows a commitment to an “ongoing, future-oriented relationship with the Cuban people.” DeLaurentis is awaiting Senate confirmation to be U.S. ambassador to Cuba. …

President Obama will not send an official delegation to the funeral of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, but he will send a senior White House official and ambassador, the White House said on Tuesday. "There's a formal process" involved in naming a presidential delegation, spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters. "That will not be taking place this time, but the United States will be represented at the event."