Cuba ‘lost its best friend’ - Fidel
CUBA: Former Cuba President Fidel Castro on Monday eulogized
Venezuela's Hugo Chavez as “the best friend Cuba ever had,” in his first
remarks since the death of his protege and his country's longtime
benefactor.
Writing in the daily Granma newspaper, Castro eulogized Chavez, who
died last week, as “an unforgettable friend” who “did not even himself
realize just how great he was.” “Even though we knew the critical state
of his health, the news (of Chavez's death) was a heavy blow,” the
revolutionary icon wrote in a brief newspaper column.
Castro, 86, added that he and Chavez “had the privilege of sharing
the same ideals of social justice and help for the exploited. The poor
are the same everywhere throughout the world.” Chavez passed away on
March 5 after a years-long battle with cancer, after undergoing surgery
and treatment almost exclusively in Cuba.
His death was a major blow to Havana, which for more than a decade
has relied heavily on cheap Venezuelan oil and favorable terms of trade
to keep its economy afloat.
The two countries were also close ideological partners and political
allies, often finding common cause against the United States and global
capitalism. Chavez was seen as the region's leftist firebrand in the
tradition of Fidel Castro, who resigned Cuba's presidency in 2008 after
a health crisis.
Venezuela has announced it will hold elections in 30 days with
Nicolas Maduro, Chavez's handpicked successor and now interim president,
faced off against opposition leader Henrique Capriles.
Capriles, who is also the governor of Miranda state, was defeated by
Chavez in last October's presidential election.
Cuba was represented at Chavez's funeral in Venezuela last week by
current President Raul Castro, Fidel's younger brother.
AFP
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