President Leonel Fernández decorated visiting Cuban President Fidel Castro with the highest Dominican decoration, the order of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella, golden cross. Fidel Castro pinned the decoration of José Martí, the highest Cuban honor, on President Leonel Fernández during a ceremony held Saturday at the National Palace. President Leonel Fernández said that the times have changed and a new stage in the re-encounter and development of Cuban and Dominican relations have begun.
