A statue of Cuban independence hero Jose Marti was unveiled Sunday in a plaza in Havana, a gift by the Bronx Museum of the Arts and a gesture of friendship in a time of strained US-Cuban relations.

Cuban President Raul Castro was present at the unveiling ceremony in what is likely to be one of his last public appearances before he steps down.

Relations between the US and Cuba have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump took office.

But some musicians and artists are determined to show that the two countries can get along.

Al Jazeera's Julia Galiano reports from Havana.