Colombian pop star Juanes promised fans a "peaceful" Paz Sin Fronteras (Peace Without Borders) concert in Havana, Cuba - despite threats he will be killed when he steps onstage.
The singer prepared for the historic show as planned on Sunday (20Sep09) - following weeks of attacks from some Cuban exiles, who claim the event is a show of support for the Fidel Castro regime and have threatened the Juanes' life if he takes the stage at the Jose Marti Revolution Plaza concert.
Juanes - who insists the event has nothing to do with politics - has stepped up security for the 14 singers and bands from six countries who are set to perform at the free International Day of Peace concert.
He said upon his arrival in Cuba at the weekend (begs19Sep09): "This concert is one little grain of sand more in the process of improving relations through art. It is a gesture of peace, a way of weaving bonds of union."
Other artists set to perform include Spanish pop acts Miguel Bose, Victor Manuel and Luis Eduardo Aute, Puerto Rican tropical star Olga Tanon and Cuban artists Amaury Perez, X Alfonso and Los Van Van.