President Donald Trump slammed Cuba's communist government on Friday, saying that "communism is the past" and "freedom is the future."

Trump spoke at the White House at a gathering for Hispanic heritage, where he said the United States hopes for freedom in the entire Western hemisphere, including Cuba and Venezuela.

"As I announced before a wonderful crowd in Little Havana earlier this year, we will not lift sanctions on the Cuban regime until it delivers full political freedom for the Cuban people," Trump said. "The same failed communist ideology that has brought oppression to Cuba has brought nothing but suffering and misery everywhere and everyplace it has been anywhere in the world."

"Communism is the past; freedom is the future," Trump said to applause from the audience.

Trump then turned to Venezuela, saying its socialist government is responsible for the South American country's turmoil.

"We also stand with the people of Venezuela who are suffering under the ruthless socialism of the Maduro regime," Trump said. "We reject socialist oppression and we call for the restoration of democracy and freedom for the citizens of Venezuela."

The crowd in the White House cheered loudly during Trump's remarks.