In a lecture delivered in Spanish in this northern city, Carter said ``through investment, visits, inspiration and example, we should find a way to alleviate the suffering of the Cuban people and help them find a route towards liberty and democracy,'' the private Europa Press said.
Carter has criticized the 36-year-old U.S. trade embargo against Cuba before, on grounds it allows Cuban leader Fidel Castro to portray himself as a martyr.
Spanish companies have considerable investment in Cuba, particularly in the tourist industry.
During his talk, given at the invitation of a local savings bank, Carter also stressed the cultural links between Spain and its former Latin American colonies which, he said, should aid economic cooperation, the agency reported.
Earlier Saturday, Carter said that a permanent end to the violence in Spain's northern Basque region should be negotiated without foreign involvement.
Basque rebels under the banner of ETA, an acronym standing for Basque Homeland and Freedom, have killed nearly 800 people in their 30-year campaign for an independent homeland in northern Spain and southern France.
The rebels announced a cease-fire last month, but the government says it will never declare a truce in its campaign to eradicate the group.
Carter said Saturday the two sides need no outside mediation.
``It is clearly a situation that should be resolved directly by the Spanish government and the other party,'' he said. ``Directly and without foreign help.''
Carter is due next week to visit several more Spanish cities during a private vacation with his family, Europa Press said.
© Copyright 1998 The Associated Press