First Chilean President in 37 Years to Visit Cuba

HAVANA TIMES, Jan. 8 – The main objective of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet’s upcoming trip to Cuba in February is to contribute to regional integration, affirmed Alejandro Foxley, that South American country’s foreign minister. Bachelet will be the first Chilean president to visit the island after the 1972 trip by Salvador Allende, who was toppled a year later by a US-backed military coup, reported IPS. Bachelet is scheduled to attend the Havana stage (Feb. 12-22) of the month long Cuba International Book Fair, to which Chile and its publishing houses are this year’s special guest.