Bavaro, Dominican Republic.-President of Cuba Raul Castro reiterated today Cuba”s commitment to boost unity and peace in Latin America and the Caribbean to face new challenges in the region.

In his speech during the high-level session of the 5ht Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac), held at the Dominican Republic, President Raul Castro warned about possible changes in the relations of the United States with the region with incumbent President Donald Trump in power.

Given this situation, President Raul Castro called for taking the path of unity amid Latin American and the Caribbean countries, assessing the numerous shared interests and urged Celac country members to take joint actions and make its management more effective.

He said that in order to achieve a successful joint effort, the declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, signed by heads of State and Government in Havana, 2014, should be tightly followed, seeking to boost the settlement of differences through peaceful methods.

He also expressed the willingness of Cuba to negotiate pending issues with the United States based on equality, reciprocity and respect for sovereignty and independence and continue a respectful dialogue and cooperation on issues of mutual interests.

President Raul Castro reiterated that US economic, commercial and financial blockade prevails, causing considerable privation and human damage that is seriously detrimental to the economy while hindering its development.

President Raul Castro said that despite the adversities, Cuba will continue to use its economic and social model, as well as the work to build a sovereign, independent, socialist, democratic, prosperous and sustainable nation.