Santiago, Dominican Republic. April 8, 2026. – La Aurora, the Dominican Republic’s cigar factory since 1903, had the honor of welcoming to its facilities in the Tamboril Free Trade Zone, Santiago, the distinguished Ambassador of Spain to the Dominican Republic, Ms. Lorea Arribalzaga Ceballos.
Taking advantage of the Ambassador’s agenda in the city of Santiago, La Aurora extended an invitation to visit its facilities and experience each of the production processes required to craft cigars that meet the highest quality standards, which have long defined the company.
The visit began with a warm welcome from Mr. Guillermo León, President of La Aurora, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Michelle Franco León, and their daughters, Michelle and Daniela León. Also in attendance were Mr. Iturbides Zaldívar, Director of Marketing and Sales; Mr. Juan Ventura, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability; and Mr. Irving Durán.
The Ambassador experienced the La Aurora Cigar Factory Tour, which combines a historical and cultural museum with an inside look at the tobacco preparation process behind the premium cigars that define its portfolio. During the tour, she learned about the origins of La Aurora’s legacy and became familiar with each stage of the process—from the classification of tobacco leaves to the handcrafting and packaging of each cigar. Today, this process involves approximately three thousand employees who keep alive a tradition that began more than a century ago.
Today, La Aurora stands as a globally distinguished company, with a presence in approximately 90 markets, guided by a vision rooted in the dedication and commitment of its people. Their daily efforts sustain the artisanal mastery that, since its beginnings, has driven the growth of the city of Santiago and strengthened the global presence of the Dominican tobacco industry.