"We are all Latinos," said Barack Obama in Spanish

The president of the United States led a celebration of Mexican May 5 at the White House and surprised everyone

" Welcome to the White House ," said U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday to the surprise of the guests at the ceremony to commemorate the May 5 , the date that commemorates Mexico 's Battle of Puebla in 1862 , in Mexican army which halted the advance of the French troops .

" Our friendship with Mexico has had a huge influence on our history , our culture and our economy , and now our governments cooperate on everything from stopping crime to promote trade , to protect the environment ," he continued , and in English.

Also, I took the opportunity to ask the Republicans to approve immigration reform he drives and for that , again resorting to Spanish : "We are all Latinos," he said.

" I know there are Republicans in the House who want to do the right thing , and I want to work with anyone who takes seriously the need to strengthen our border, modernize our legal immigration system and keep more families together," the Democratic president launched .

In a neat Spanish , Obama said goodbye to the traditional celebration in the East Room also in Spanish : " Thank you, God bless and happy Cinco de Mayo" .