Cuban independent journalist and blogger Yoani Sanchez visited the White House on Wednesday and met with President Barack Obama’s advisor on Latin America.

Sanchez, who is in Washington as one stop on her tour through a number of countries, spoke with Ricardo Zuñiga about her struggle to promote “increased respect” for the freedom of expression in Cuba, according to a communique released by White House National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden.

Hayden emphasized that Sanchez was prohibited from leaving Cuba for years and that the blogger is a “respected advocate for the freedom of information.”

“The United States looks forward to the day when all Cubans will have the opportunity to express themselves in public without fear and we will continue to support policies that encourage the free flow of information to, from, and within Cuba,” the NSC spokeswoman said.

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