In a direct appeal to the Cuban people’s sense of humor, the White House has released a video of President Barack Obama joking with Panfilo, the country’s most famous comedian, a day before the president makes a historic trip to the island.
Advertisement
Obama is portraying his trip, the first by a sitting USA president to Cuba in almost 90 years, as an embrace of the Cuban people and an attempt to empower them through freer economic exchange that may eventually bring more democracy. Rhodes added the the trip is not only an opportunity to meet with Cuban government officials but also the Cuban people, and Obama will engage with different sectors of Cuban society.
He then offers to pick him up and even suggests that the President takes his bed if he can’t find anywhere to stay, though warns that Michelle would have to sleep on the side next to the chest of drawers.
The White House said Obama taped the segment on Friday. “It’s time for a change, and this trip is part of that”.
“I don’t think things are going to improve here”, said Rosa Lopez, 52-year-old food stand worker. A Havana woman who had not traveled outside of Cuba was diagnosed after suffering symptoms of Zika. Cuba, meanwhile, announced plans to lift a 10 percent conversion fee on USA dollars.
Already booming tourism is set to explode in the wake of Obama’s visit, when he’ll bury a more than half-century-long conflict that left Cuba the last major undeveloped market in the Caribbean.
While in Havana, Obama will attend a state dinner, honor a Cuban independence hero and meet with local entrepreneurs. He will give a speech at the Grand Theater of Havana – carried on Cuban television.
Advertisement
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide said Saturday it has signed three hotel deals in Cuba, a first for a United States hospitality company since the 1959 revolution on the communist-run island.
