President of El Salvador to Visit Cuba

Havana, Jul 10. – Foreign Minister of El Salvador Hugo Martinez announced in Havana on Friday that President Mauricio Funes will pay a state visit to Cuba soon.

In remarks to journalists at the Foreign Ministry, Martinez, who is on his second visit to Cuba, explained that he is here to strengthen bilateral ties and to prepare Funes' trip, which might take place in late August or early September.

Referring to the case of Salvadorian terrorist Francisco Antonio Chavez Abarca, detained in Venezuela on July 1st and deported to Cuba, Martinez said that the matter is now in the hands of Cuban and Venezuelan authorities, and Interpol.

"We will comply with the law providing for consular protection, which is why we made the request to the Cuban Government, which it has graciously accorded," he explained.

Also on Friday, the governments of Cuba and El Salvador gave a new boost to their friendly links and collaboration with the signing of two agreements in the fields of health and education.

The Salvadorian top diplomat described relations between both countries as excellent and extolled Cuba's solidarity with his people in the wake of Hurricane Ida in 2009, when a Cuban medical brigade was sent to El Salvador.

At the Salvadorian government's request, the brigade extended its stay and carried out a more profound health care work there, Martinez recalled.

The Cuban Foreign minister ratified his country's willingness to broaden friendly links and cooperation and appreciated the Salvadorian position in the United Nations in favour of the cessation of the US economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on the Island for nearly half a century.(Prensa Latina)