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US releases video of Obama with Cuba’s best-known comedian

Click to play video: 'U.S. President Barack Obama takes part in skit with Cuban humourist'
U.S. President Barack Obama takes part in skit with Cuban humourist
WATCH ABOVE: The U.S. embassy in Cuba has released a video depicting a wrong number phone call to the White House with U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban humourist Panfilo – Mar 19, 2016

HAVANA – In a direct appeal to the Cuban people’s sense of humour, the White House has released a video of President Barack Obama joking with the country’s most famous comedian a day before the president makes a historic trip to the island.

Luis Silva plays Panfilo, an elderly character on a wildly popular show that often uses biting humour to comment on social reality and lampoon the failings of Cuba’s government and centrally planned economy.

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READ MORE: Barack Obama opens door widely for Americans to travel to Cuba

The video released Saturday shows Panfilo calling the White House to find out the weather for a baseball game during Obama’s trip to Cuba. Obama answers and banters with Panfilo, using Cuban slang to say “Panfilo! Get outta here! What’s going on?”

It wasn’t immediately clear if Cuban TV would show the video.

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