Today at the joint press conference between President Barack Obama and Cuban president Raul Castro, the pair took questions from the press.
The first question came from CNN’s Jim Acosta, son of a Cuban exile:
Obama took Acosta’s question to launch into a 5 minute and 20 second filibuster where he not only established that the U.S.-Cuba relationship would be be “moving forward” rather than backward (i.e. dealing with those currently imprisoned). Obama welcomed “a frank and candid conversation around this issue” of human rights and warned that it shouldn’t be “the only issue we talk about.”
Obama continued: “I actually welcome President Castro commenting on some of the areas where he feels we’re falling short. Because I think we should not be immune or afraid of criticism or discussion as well.”
The president closed with a personal anecdote about meeting with our “close allies” and some that “are not so close” about political prisoners: “I’ve met with people who’ve been subject to arbitrary detention, and that’s something that I generally have to speak out on because I hear from them directly and I know what it means to them.”
By this point, it’s clear that Castro is speaking with somebody but the language is muddled. Obama is done filibsutering and ready to cede the floor to Castro, only Castro isn’t ready.
The president looks over, says “go ahead”, and raises his arm towards Castro. “Excuse me” says the president. A few seconds go by, the president turns towards the cameras and the press corps and winks with a smile. They laugh. Obama again motions towards Castro.
“Yeah?” responds Castro.
“Yeah, yeah wha?” responds Obama, in sort of a mocking tone.
The crowd laughs. Obama laughs under his breath.
Castro responds: “I was asking if his question was directed to me or to President Obama. You talked about, no, you talked about political prisoners.”
Obama joins in: “And Trump and Hillary.”
Castro again: “For him or for me?”
CNN’s Acosta pipes up: “For you, Mr. President Castro.”
Castro responds: “What did you say about political prisoners, can you repeat that question about political prisoners? Did you ask if we had political prisoners? Did you ask if we had political prisoners?”
Acosta, via a translator: “I want to tell if you have Cuban political prisoners and why you don’t release them.”
Castro, via a translator: “Give me a list of the political prisoners and I will release them immediately. Just mention a list. What political prisoners? Give me a name, or names, or when after this meeting is over you can give me a list of political prisoners and if we have those political prisoners, they will be released before tonight ends.”
Regarding his preference for Trump or Clinton, Castro observed he was not a U.S. citizen and thus not eligible to vote.
Watch the video below:
