WASHINGTON : The United States has selected career diplomat Jeffrey DeLaurentis as its new top diplomat in Havana, a State Department official said Wednesday. DeLaurentis, who has previously worked as a diplomat in Havana, Bogota and at the United Nations, will lead the US Interests Section in the Cuban capital, a de facto embassy. The United States and Cuba do not have full diplomatic relations, but rather interests sections in their respective capitals. Washington has had an economic embargo on Cuba - the only Communist-ruled country in the Americas - since 1962. DeLaurentis succeeds John Caulfield in the post. Caulfield is due to complete his assignment in July.