Pope Benedict XVI‘s upcoming visit will strengthen relations between the Catholic Church and Cuban authorities, said Monsignor Dionisio Garcia Ibañez, Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba and President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba (COCC).»

Cuban authorities, at the request of the Archbishopric of Havana, removed a group of 13 persons who illegally occupied the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, in this capital.»

Cuba reaffirmed on Thursday its call to reinforce the UN Conference on Disarmament and said it is a responsibility of all states.»

Bolivian President Evo Morales, arrived to Bogota on Thursday to meet his first state visit to Colombia, where he will meet with his counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos, to endorse the commitments of friendship and cooperation of both parties.»

On the first anniversary of the crisis that has affected Syria due to armed violence and terror, in addition to foreign reprisals, hundreds of thousands of Syrians across the country joined the March for Peace on Thursday.»

Several organizations of solidarity with Cuba in Miami, Florida, called people to attend a rally next Sunday to support the five anti-terrorist Cuban fighters held in US prisons since 1998. Signatories of the call include the Antonio Maceo Brigade, the Jose Marti Alliance, the Jose Marti Association and the Bolivarian Club of Miami.»

The Archbishopric of Havana termed illegal and irresponsible the occupation of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Charity by several people. It stresses that no one has the right to turn temples into political trenches or disturb the spirit of celebration of the Cuban faithful.»

Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cuba is an excellent opportunity to show the reality of the country and its Revolution, the president of the National Association of Cuban Writers and Artists (UNEAC), Miguel Barnet, said in this capital.»

The compilation of the dialogue between the leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro, and 69 intellectuals from 21 countries is launched on Wednesday in Havana, Caracas and other capitals of the world.»

Enrique Ojito Linares, who has been recently granted the Juan Gualberto Gomez Journalism National Prize, was recipient of the corresponding diploma from Major General and Vice President of the Council of Ministers Antonio Enrique Lussón.»