During a nationwide address on Tuesday, President Barack Obama told the Cuban people that voting is the best way for nations to solve problems.

“I've made it clear that the United States has neither the capacity, or the intention to impose change on Cuba,” Obama said during his historic speech in Havana. “But having removed the shadow of history from our relationship, I must speak honestly about the things that I believe – the things that we, as Americans, believe.”

“I believe that every person should be equal under the law. Every child deserves the dignity that comes with education, and health care and food on the table and a roof over their heads. I believe citizens should be free to speak their mind without fear, to organize, and to criticize their government, and to protest peacefully, and that the rule of law should not include arbitrary detentions of people who exercise those rights. I believe that every person should have the freedom to practice their faith peacefully and publicly. And, yes, I believe voters should be able to choose their governments in free and democratic elections.”

“I'm not saying [change] is easy. There's still enormous problems in our society. But democracy is the way that we solve them. That's how we got health care for more of our people. That's how we made enormous gains in women's rights and gay rights,” he added.

Cuban President Raul Castro was among those who attended the speech.

Later in the day, Obama and Castro attended an exhibition baseball game between the Cuban national team and the Tampa Bay Rays.