Secretary of State Colin Powell offered his support to new Dominican President Leonel Fernandez, according to Carlos Morales Troncoso, the Minister for Foreign Affairs. As reported in the Listin Diario, Morales was participating in the XXIII Summit Meeting of Chancellors of the Group of Rio, when he received a call from Powell to congratulate the new head of state. According to the report, Powell expressed his confidence that ?the Dominican Republic would come out ahead of the great challenges that are facing the nation.? At the same time, Powell allegedly pledged the support of the United States and strengthened relations between the two countries. The press release from the Dominican Foreign Ministry also mentioned Powell?s confidence regarding Dominican foreign policy in the Caribbean.