Havana  - Chilean President Michelle Bachelet arrived for an official visit in the Cuban capital Havana Tuesday evening for a landmark visit.

Bachelet's trip is viewed as being of great bilateral importance, as it is the first time in 37 years that a Chilean leader visits the Communist island state.

She is scheduled to meet with her Cuban counterpart Raul Castro on Wednesday. A meeting with ailing revolutionary leader Fidel Castro was also possible, officials said.

Bachelet who arrived in Havana from a visit to Honduras, will stay in Cuba until Friday. Chilean opposition groups criticized the president ahead of her trip for not planning to meet with Cuban dissidents. (dpa)