Santiago, Dominican Republic. March 5, 2026. – La Aurora, the Dominican Republic’s cigar factory since 1903, welcomed to its facilities in the Tamboril Free Zone, Santiago, the Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Peña, and the United States Ambassador to the country, Leah Francis Campos. The visit was coordinated by the Dominican Republic Tobacco Institute (INTABACO) and its director, Iván Hernández Guzmán, who was accompanied by his mother, Mrs. Sonia Guzmán, former Dominican Ambassador to Washington, D.C. (U.S.). The meeting provided an opportunity to further highlight the potential of the region’s tobacco sector and its impact at both the national and international levels.
The delegation was received by Don Guillermo León, President of La Aurora, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Michelle Franco de León, and their daughters, Livi, Michelle, and Daniela León, for a guided tour led by Mr. Juan Ventura, showcasing the different stages of the production process.
During the visit, the guests had the opportunity to observe the cigar-making process, carried out under the highest quality
standards by skilled artisans who dedicate their daily effort and craftsmanship to the craft. This experience reaffirmed that La Aurora stands out not only for the excellence of its products—present in more than 90 markets worldwide—and for contributing to the expansion of the Dominican tobacco industry, but also for its social commitment, generating nearly three thousand jobs across different areas and supporting the development of the region.
In addition to highlighting the tobacco sector’s impact on the economy and job creation, the visitors experienced the historical and cultural museum, which showcases the legacy of the company, the world of tobacco, and its connection to the development of Santiago. The museum also reflects how La Aurora contributes to the city’s tourism activity—an experience available for both Dominicans and international visitors to learn about tobacco and the Dominican cigar, which today are considered part of the nation’s cultural heritage.