The Ministry of Foreign Relations has confirmed that the President of Cuba, Fidel Castro will visit the DR for five days. The Cuban statesman will participate as an observer in the meetings of the Cariforum, that groups Caribbean members signatories of the Lomé Convention. The chiefs of state of the English-speaking Caribbean, CARICOM nations, will be in Santo Domingo for their annual meeting. President Rene Preval of Haiti, a member of Cariforum, has also confirmed his assistance. During the event the DR is expected to sign a free trade agreement with CARICOM nations. The event coincides with the 500th anniversary of the city of Santo Domingo. Minister of Foreign Relations Eduardo Latorre confirmed that Fidel Castro will stay on for two days. He will visit the provinces of Baní, home town of Máximo Gómez, a Dominican who played a key role in the independence war of Cuba against Spain, and Monte Cristi, where Cuban liberator José Martí signed an agreement with Dominican General Máximo Gómez to fight together in the independence war. The Ministry also confirmed that some 300 Cuban security agents are working with Dominicans to guarantee the safety of the Cuban statesman.
