US President Barack Obama has arrived in Cuba for a historic visit, becoming the first sitting president to travel to the island nation in nearly 90 years

US President Barack Obama has arrived in Cuba for a historic visit, becoming the first sitting president to travel to the island nation in nearly 90 years.

Obama's arrival on Sunday afternoon was eagerly anticipated in the capital Havana, according to The Associated Press.

"Que bola Cuba?" Obama wrote on his Twitter on landing, using Cuban slang to ask what's going on.  "Just touched down here, looking forward to meeting and hearing directly from the Cuban people."

During his two-day trip, Obama is expected to meet with his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro and representatives of the private sector.

The US president will also deliver a historic speech in Havana in an effort to establish a new relationship between the Cold War-era foes.

US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senators Patrick Leahy, Dick Durbin and Congressman Jeff Flake also joined the president aboard Air Force One along with First Lady Michelle Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha Obama.

“I’ll travel to Cuba to advance our progress and efforts that can improve the lives of the Cuban people,” Obama tweeted last month. “We still have differences with the Cuban government that I will raise directly. America will always stand for human rights around the world.”