Photos: Obama Visits Puerto Rico

This is the first trip by a sitting U.S. leader since JFK.

Puerto Rico Visit - President Obama’s visit Puerto Rico on Tuesday marks the first visit to the small island by a sitting president since John F. Kennedy traveled there in 1961. He is fulfilling a campaign promise delivered in 2008 to return to Puerto Rico if he won the presidential election. But the trip is also part of a larger effort to court the Latino community, which could have a significant impact on Obama’s re-election prospects. As one lawmaker told BET.com, the Latino vote could be a “game changer” in 2012.(Photo: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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Puerto Rico Visit - President Obama’s visit Puerto Rico on Tuesday marks the first visit to the small island by a sitting president since John F. Kennedy traveled there in 1961. He is fulfilling a campaign promise delivered in 2008 to return to Puerto Rico if he won the presidential election. But the trip is also part of a larger effort to court the Latino community, which could have a significant impact on Obama’s re-election prospects. As one lawmaker told BET.com, the Latino vote could be a “game changer” in 2012.(Photo: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

First Class Arrival - The president is escorted across the tarmac by Marc Antony, San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini Padilla, Gov. Luis Fortuno, Rep. Pedor Pierluisi (D-Puerto Rico) and Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard Antonio J. Vicens.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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First Class Arrival - The president is escorted across the tarmac by Marc Antony, San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini Padilla, Gov. Luis Fortuno, Rep. Pedor Pierluisi (D-Puerto Rico) and Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard Antonio J. Vicens.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

On Stage - Shortly after arrival in San Juan, President Obama got on stage to address the crowd that had gathered inside hanger at the Muniz Air National Guard Base.(Photo: AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

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On Stage - Shortly after arrival in San Juan, President Obama got on stage to address the crowd that had gathered inside hanger at the Muniz Air National Guard Base.(Photo: AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

His Remarks - The president received a very friendly reception at the Muniz Air National Guard Base. During his speech he referenced a promise he made to Puerto Ricans during the last presidential campaign. “When I came here to campaign, I promised that I would return as president of the United States. And although my hair is a little grayer than during my first visit, I am glad to be able to keep that promise to the people of Puerto Rico,” he said to applause. He also stressed his commitment to including the island in his “vision of where our country needs to go.”(Photo: AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

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His Remarks - The president received a very friendly reception at the Muniz Air National Guard Base. During his speech he referenced a promise he made to Puerto Ricans during the last presidential campaign. “When I came here to campaign, I promised that I would return as president of the United States. And although my hair is a little grayer than during my first visit, I am glad to be able to keep that promise to the people of Puerto Rico,” he said to applause. He also stressed his commitment to including the island in his “vision of where our country needs to go.”(Photo: AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Cheers - The president also pledged to improve the education system in Puerto Rico and all across America.  “We are making strides to improve our health care system here in Puerto Rico and all across America,” he said. “We are going to put people back to work here in Puerto Rico and all across America. “(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Cheers - The president also pledged to improve the education system in Puerto Rico and all across America.  “We are making strides to improve our health care system here in Puerto Rico and all across America,” he said. “We are going to put people back to work here in Puerto Rico and all across America. “(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Issues - The economy— the unemployment rate on the island is nearly 17 percent – is of premium importance to many in Puerto Rico, Gov. Fortuno told the Associated Press.(Photo: AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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Issues - The economy— the unemployment rate on the island is nearly 17 percent – is of premium importance to many in Puerto Rico, Gov. Fortuno told the Associated Press.(Photo: AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Obama Travels to Puerto Rico - On Tuesday President Obama took a day trip to Puerto Rico. It marked the first visit to the U.S. commonwealth by a sitting president since John F. Kennedy in 1961 and with the trip, he made good on a campaign promise he made in 2008 to return to the island if he was elected.(Photo: AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

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Greetings - After his speech, the president shook hands with those in the crowd.(Photo: AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Warm Welcome - After his speech, the president was welcomed to the governor’s mansion La Fortaleza. "On behalf of the people of Puerto Rico we want to welcome you. I guess you saw a taste of it driving over here. We are proud to welcome you and we thank you for the visit," Gov. Fortuno said.(Photo: AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)

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Warm Welcome - After his speech, the president was welcomed to the governor’s mansion La Fortaleza. "On behalf of the people of Puerto Rico we want to welcome you. I guess you saw a taste of it driving over here. We are proud to welcome you and we thank you for the visit," Gov. Fortuno said.(Photo: AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)

Youth Band Performance - During his tour, the president and Puerto Rican officials are treated to a performance from a local youth band in the courtyard.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Youth Band Performance - During his tour, the president and Puerto Rican officials are treated to a performance from a local youth band in the courtyard.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Touring La Fortaleza - The president stands with (from l-r) Rep. Pierluisi, Fortuno and his wife, Luce Vela de Fortuno, as he tours La Fortaleza, the official governor’s residence. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Touring La Fortaleza - The president stands with (from l-r) Rep. Pierluisi, Fortuno and his wife, Luce Vela de Fortuno, as he tours La Fortaleza, the official governor’s residence. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Quick Bite to Eat - Obama, Puerto Rican Sen. Alejandro Garcia Padialla (left) and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett (right) order lunch at Kasalta bakery in San Juan.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Quick Bite to Eat - Obama, Puerto Rican Sen. Alejandro Garcia Padialla (left) and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett (right) order lunch at Kasalta bakery in San Juan.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Another Meal - During an unannounced stop at a local lunch spot a couple of blocks from the beach, he ordered the house specialty: a Medianoche sandwich — ham, pork and swiss with pickles and mustard on a sweet bread — and ate with Sen. Padialla. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Another Meal - During an unannounced stop at a local lunch spot a couple of blocks from the beach, he ordered the house specialty: a Medianoche sandwich — ham, pork and swiss with pickles and mustard on a sweet bread — and ate with Sen. Padialla. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Protesters - Activists hung banners that read in Spanish "Freedom, political and war prisoners," right, and the names of federally imprisoned Puerto Rican nationalists belonging to the militant group Los Macheteros, a day before Obama’s arrival. According to AP, about 20 demonstrators kept an all-night vigil at El Morro to protest Obama's visit. En route to the governor’s residence, protestors greeted the president’s motorcade using megaphones to call for “Independencia para Puerto Rico” (independence for Puerto Rico).(Photo: AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)

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Protesters - Activists hung banners that read in Spanish "Freedom, political and war prisoners," right, and the names of federally imprisoned Puerto Rican nationalists belonging to the militant group Los Macheteros, a day before Obama’s arrival. According to AP, about 20 demonstrators kept an all-night vigil at El Morro to protest Obama's visit. En route to the governor’s residence, protestors greeted the president’s motorcade using megaphones to call for “Independencia para Puerto Rico” (independence for Puerto Rico).(Photo: AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)

Independence - The subject of statehood or even total independence from the U.S. has long been debated topic for many in the commonwealth. During his speech, the president touched on the subject of a referendum that would allow voters on the island to take the issue to polls to decide on it themselves. “When the people of Puerto Rico make a clear decision, my administration will stand by you," Obama said to applause.(Photo: AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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Independence - The subject of statehood or even total independence from the U.S. has long been debated topic for many in the commonwealth. During his speech, the president touched on the subject of a referendum that would allow voters on the island to take the issue to polls to decide on it themselves. “When the people of Puerto Rico make a clear decision, my administration will stand by you," Obama said to applause.(Photo: AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Political Importance - While Puerto Ricans living in the commonwealth can’t vote in presidential elections, only in primaries, Obama’s visit could still have some implications for next year’s elections. With millions of Puerto Rican voters living on the mainland United States, the demographic, along with the Hispanic population as a whole is a force to be reckoned with in national politics.(Photo: AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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Political Importance - While Puerto Ricans living in the commonwealth can’t vote in presidential elections, only in primaries, Obama’s visit could still have some implications for next year’s elections. With millions of Puerto Rican voters living on the mainland United States, the demographic, along with the Hispanic population as a whole is a force to be reckoned with in national politics.(Photo: AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)