Obama And Castro Share An Awkward Handshake In Cuba After Historic Meeting

NPR | By Laura Wagner

Published March 21, 2016 at 5:38 PM EDT

Cuban President Raul Castro tries to lift up the arm of President Obama at the conclusion of their joint news conference in Havana, Cuba, on Monday.

In the moments after the end of a historic press conference held by President Obama and President Castro in Havana, Cuba, what began as a regular handshake morphed into ... something else. The Cuban leader raised Obama's limp arm above his head and held it there for a few seconds.

The move most closely resembled a wrestling referee announcing the winner of a wrestling match. Only way more awkward.

Castro grabs Obama's limp wrist, hoists his hand into the air like the winner of a prize fight. Most awkward POTUS scene I can ever recall.
— Tim Alberta (@TimAlberta) March 21, 2016

Raul Castro lifting Obama’s arm up, limply, was really awkward
— Sam Stein (@samstein) March 21, 2016

Obama, Raul Castro Have Historically Awkward Handshake; Stunned I Haven't Done This One Yet:https://t.co/CBn2QIMRae pic.twitter.com/vhJK4mRWBc
— Gavon Laessig (@gavonl) March 21, 2016