Cardinal Ortega at the White House (Updated)

President Obama’s National Security Advisor, James Jones, received Cardinal Ortega at the White House yesterday, EFE reports.

Gen. Jones praised the Cardinal’s recent efforts, called for the release of all political prisoners, and – good for him – defended their right “to remain in Cuba.” NSC statement here.

Afterwards, Cardinal Ortega received Assistant Secretary of State Arturo Valenzuela at the Vatican’s embassy in Washington to discuss “the situation in Cuba.”

An interview with Cardinal Ortega by Catholic News Service is here, and his remarks to the Knights of Columbus are here.

Update: CNN Spanish interviewed Cardinal Ortega as he left the White House; here is the interview and a discussion with reporter Ione Molinares.