The Dominican Republic is preparing to welcome hemispheric leaders to the 10th Summit of the Americas on Dec. 4 to 5 in Punta Cana. But the Cuban, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan governments have been excluded.

The Dominican Foreign Ministry confirmed the decision in an official statement. The Caribbean nation holds the rotating presidency of the regional forum, and it invited 32 countries to participate.

According to Dominican officials, the exclusions were made because those three countries are not active members of the Organization of American States and did not participate in the previous summit. The measure is aimed at avoiding ideological tensions and ensuring effective participation by member states.

The event, convened by the Dominican government, will seek to build a common agenda on

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