Richard Blanco selected to read poem at U.S. embassy opening in Cuba

Blanco also recited poem at second swearing-in ceremony for President Obama

HAVANA – Renowned poet Richard Blanco has been selected to write and read a poem at the U.S. embassy's reopening in Havana, Cuba, on Friday.

Blanco, who was the first Latino to be chosen as a presidential inaugural poet, will read a poem that he wrote especially for the occasion where Secretary of State John Kerry will raise the American flag over the embassy.

"As a poet, and as a Cuban-American, I am proud and grateful for the opportunity to be part of this historic moment," Blanco said. "It is a true honor to return to the country of my roots in this capacity, and commemorate this step in improving relations between the United States and Cuba."

Blanco recited his poem, "One Today" at the second swearing-in ceremony for President Barack Obama in 2013.

Blanco was born in Madrid, Spain, to Cuban exiles and lived in New York before his family settled in Miami.

Blanco first visited Cuba in 1994.

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