A group of visiting U.S. Congressmen on Tuesday urged the U.S. government to increase trade with Cuba.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat and the head of the bipartisan delegation, speaking after meeting Cuba's National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon, said she thought the U.S. embargo should be lifted to open trade with Cuba.

The group of five U.S. Congressmen arrived in Havana on Monday for a visit during which they attended the opening ceremony of a Cuban-U.S. food trade fair. They also supported negotiations between U.S. businessmen and Cuban officials on food trade.

Because of the embargo, nearly all trade between the two countries is prohibited. Cuban exports to the United States are not allowed, but since 2000, sales of U.S. food to Cuba have been allowed.

Since 2001, Cuba has imported 2.33 billion U.S. dollars worth of food from the United States.