Castro also sought to defend himself against a reporter’s question about political prisoners in Cuba, saying, “Give me a list of the political prisoners, and I will release them immediately.” Castro criticized the U.S. record on human rights, saying Cuba found it “inconceivable that a government does not defend and secure the right to healthcare, equal pay and the rights of children.” Obama said the U.S. should not be immune to such criticism.

President Barack Obama: “As you heard, President Castro has also addressed what he views as shortcomings in the United States around basic needs for people and poverty and inequality and race relations. And we welcome that constructive dialogue, as well, because we believe that when we share our deepest beliefs and ideas with an attitude of mutual respect, that we can both learn and make the lives of our people better.”