Raul Castro Headed Official Welcoming Ceremony for Guatemalan President

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 16, (acn).- Cuban President Raul Castro Ruz today headed the official welcoming ceremony for visiting Guatemalan head of state Alvaro Colom.

The distinguished visitor was received at Havana's Revolution Palace with military honors by members of the Cuban Armed Forces.

The visiting Guatemalan delegation was made up of Guatemala's First Lady Sandra Torres Colom; Foreign Minister Aroldo Rodas and Health Minister Celso Cerezo, among other officials.

Following the official welcoming ceremony, Alvaro Colom and Raul Castro held official talks.

President Alvaro Colom arrived in Cuba on February 15 to pay an official visit at the invitation of President Raul Castro Ruz. Upon his arrival in Havana, Colom expressed his rejection of the nearly-50-year US economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba, which he dubbed an unfair and anachronistic policy.