On August 12, 1898, the long lasting wars between Spain and the United States, over Spain’s colonies in South America, ended through a treaty that was signed in Paris. According to this treaty, Spain rendered its sovereignty over Cuba and submitted Puerto Rico and a number of other islands to the US. Based on this treaty, signed at the presence of a French government representative, five representatives from each country were assigned to negotiate the details of the final peace accord, with lasting two months. The lands surrendered by Spain were in its possession for three centuries; Cuba and Puerto Rico were two immigrant islands that continue to maintain their Spanish culture.