President Barack Obama cracked jokes with the communist country's most loved comedian in a surprise exchange broadcast online. The video starts with Luis Silva, who plays Panfilo, calling to see about the weather for a baseball game during Obama's trip to Cuba (above) President Barack Obama cracked jokes with the communist country's most loved comedian in a surprise exchange broadcast online. The video starts with Luis Silva, who plays Panfilo, calling to see about the weather for a baseball game during Obama's trip to Cuba (above)

video released on Facebook ahead of his historic visit, to Cuba today 

-The first president to visit in 88 years
White House released video sketch on Facebook page of US Embassy in Havana showing President Obama and comedian Luis Silva ....

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Silva plays Panfilo, a character on his Cubavision show 'Vivir del cuento'
    The pair crack jokes throughout the three and a half minute sketch
       The visit is part of the president's efforts to normalize relations with Cuba

    On the eve of his visit to Cuba, President Barack Obama cracked jokes with the communist country's most loved comedian in a surprise exchange broadcast online.
    Luis Silva plays Panfilo, an elderly character on a wildly popular show that often uses biting humor to comment on social reality and lampoon the failings of Cuba's government and centrally planned economy.
    In the three and a half minute video sketch released on the Facebook page of the US embassy in Havana on Saturday, the comedian acted out calling the White House and asking to speak to Obama.



    It starts with Panfilo calling to see about the weather for a baseball game during Obama's trip to Cuba. Obama answers the phone call, leaving Panfilo shocked that he got the actual president on the line.


    Obama answers the phone call, leaving Panfilo shocked that he got the actual president on the line
    'This is President Obama.' 
    'Oh my God I'm talking with Obama,' the star struck comedian says.
    'Yes the real Obama. Who's this?' the president deadpans.
    'I'm Panfilo from Cuba.'
    'The real Panfilo - from the TV show?'
    'From the TV show. He knows me!'



    He explains to Obama that he's the Panfilo from the popular TV show in Cuba
    Obama answers the phone call, leaving Panfilo shocked that he got the actual president on the line. He explains to Obama that he's the Panfilo from the popular TV show in Cuba
    'No way, how are you?' the president replies in Spanish this time, using Cuban slang.
    'I'm so glad you'll come to visit,' Panfilo says, as Obama replies telling him that he's looking forward to the trip. 
    'The American people and the Cuban people are friends,' Obama said. 
    Panfilo advised that the president not bring heavy luggage 'or you'll get stuck at the airport.'
    He also volunteered to pick him up from the airport if he needs a ride, and said if he needed a place to stay he could stay with him