Calls for the U.S. to end its trade embargo on Cuba were high on the agenda at the Cuba-Caricom Summit of 15 Caribbean nations in Havana.

The Cuba-Caricom summit takes place every three years, always near December 8. On that date in 1972, four recently independent Caribbean nations became the first in the world to break with the U.S. and restore diplomatic relations with Communist Cuba.

Cuban President Raul Castro pledged to continue helping with health and education, as recent reforms have done little to improve Cuba’s struggling economy.

CCTV America’s Michael Voss reports from Havana.