Ahead of his historic visit to Cuba, President Obama showed off his comedic—and Spanish—skills by participating in a sketch with one of the island’s best-known comedians. Luis Silvia portrays a character named Pánfilo, a retired Cuban who lightly satirizes island life. In the video posted online by the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Pánfilo tries to call Washington to find out the weather for Tuesday’s exhibition game between Cuba’s national team and the Tampa Bay Rays. He gets Obama instead.
“The real Obama?”
“Yes, the real Obama. Who’s this?”
“I’m Pánfilo from Cuba.”
“The real Pánfilo? From the TV show?”
Pánfilo is shocked the president knows him. Obama then tries out his Cuban slang: “No me digas. ¿Qué bolá?”
The comedian then goes on to give Obama some advice—“don’t come with heavy luggage or you will get stuck at the airport”—and offers to pick him up when he arrives in Havana. “Gracias, Pánfilo,” says Obama. “I think I’m all set for a ride.”
