Havana, Mar 22 (RHC) The President of the United States, Barack Obama,  extolled the strength of the people in Cuba and noted that the Island country defends its rights and stands up to the world.

In his address to the Cuban people from the Gran Teatro de la Habana Alicia Alonso, President Obama reiterated his call on the US Congress to end the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, which he defined as, a legacy of the past and is a deterrent for those willing to invest in Cuba.

He also said that this trip to Havana will help bury the last traces of the conflict between both countries.

Also, he said that the United States and Cuba are two sisters that have remained estranged for a very long time despite sharing common cultural and blood ties.

At the beginning of this speech, Obama transmitted his condolences to Belgium because of the recent Jihad Islamic attacks in Brussels, which he call evidence of the importance of uniting to fight terrorism, regardless of nationality.