Marco Rubio actually said...

It is not an acknowledgement that things are better in terms of human rights in Cuba or any more democracy.

In announcing the policy change, the President stated that this is fundamentally about freedom and openness.

I find it incredibly disconcerting that President Obama made his announcement on December 17th, and I still have not been granted a private ...

So it is fair to say that this negotiation occurred through NSC personnel.