The international community is hailing moves by the U.S. and Cuba to improve ties.

国际社会对美国与古巴改善双方关系做出的举动表示欣慰。

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says 'this news is very positive.'

"I sincerely hope that these measures, this announcement, will help to expand further the exchanges between the two peoples who have been separated quite a long time. The United Nations stands ready to help both countries to cultivate their good neighborly relations."

Venezuela's President, Nicolas Maduro, called the prisoner swap a "courageous" gesture by U.S. President Barack Obama and hailed it as a victory for Cuba.

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo have also welcomed the move.