Castro: No tolerance for dissent

As the first opposition leader to win Mexican elections for more than 70 years, Mr Fox came to power promising to advance human rights and democracy.

Dissident groups, which the Cuban Government views as counter-revolutionaries and refuses to recognise, have called for a meeting with the Mexican president.

One opposition leader said it would be a very clear form of recognition.

But Mr Fox's tight schedule makes that look unlikely.

He is also keen not to anger his host.

Old ties

Mexico was the only country in the region not to bow to pressure from Washington and break diplomatic relations with Havana when Fidel Castro came to power more than 40 years ago.

Mexico remains one of Cuba's main trading partners, although relations between the two countries have chilled a little in the past few years.

Despite representing opposite ends of the political spectrum, the two men are now hoping to boost ties, concentrating on what they have in common rather than what separates them.

They met during President Fox's inauguration in December 2000 and were said to get along very well.

The Mexican leader has praised advances in health care and education in Cuba.

And last week President Castro said: "We are very happy about this visit, we will give him special attention."