NEW YORK – Over the weekend, Raul Castro met with New York's City's mayor and former President Bill Clinton.
Sunday night, he ended the day at an invite-only event at the Cuban mission just a few blocks from the United Nations, where he'll speak Monday after President Barack Obama.
Castro and Obama last spoke by phone about a week ago ahead of Pope Francis' trip to Cuba and the U.S.
A group of pro-Castro supporters gathered outside the Cuban government building to the United Nations in New York City.
"It's great that diplomatic relations were established, but now lift the embargo," said Peter Thierjong.
The gathering marks the end of a busy weekend for Castro.
On Saturday, Cuban state-run television reported he met with former President Bill Clinton for the first time after delivering the first of two speeches at the U.N.
On Monday, he's expected to renew his call for an end to the U.S. embargo.
"I've had a long relationship with Cuba," said John Henry, who attended the reception. "I'm an American who supported the revolution 50-something years ago."
Castro, who met with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio over the weekend, will meet with President Obama on Tuesday.
The White House announced early Sunday the two would get together for their second face-to-face meeting after a summit in Panama in April.
"We're not business people," said Frank Velgara, who attended the reception. "We're friends of Cuba. This reception is for friends of Cuba. He met with the governor and mayor and can conduct that business at that level."
Ahead of the meeting, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., released a statement that read, in part, "President Obama sees fit to shake the bloodied hand of one of the world's most ruthless dictators. It is truly shameful that instead of championing the cause of everyday Cubans, the White House has chosen to sell out to the dictatorship yet again."
The perceived sell out could come when the U.S. abstains from a mostly symbolic vote at the U.N. calling for an end to the decades old embargo.
The measure has been voted on at the U.N for more than 20 years and every year the U.S. has voted against it.
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