Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Chávez: Venezuela isn't copying Cuba

Posted on Wed, Jun. 13, 2007

Chávez: Venezuela isn't copying Cuba
By ANITA SNOW AND IAN JAMES
Associated Press

HAVANA --
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez returned to Cuba to visit his
convalescing friend and ally Fidel Castro, spending six hours with the
80-year-old leader he considers a guiding light for the Latin American left.

State television reported the pair shared an ''emotional'' meeting
Tuesday, discussing Venezuela-Cuba relations, climate change and a
socialist-leaning regional pact they created. Chávez was to unveil a
statue of Venezuelan independence hero Francisco de Miranda on Wednesday
morning and stop by a nearby college.

Politics aside, the two men clearly share a deep personal affection,
with Chávez visiting Castro more than any other foreign leader since he
fell gravely ill in late July.

Chávez, 52, spoke fondly of his friend during an exclusive interview
with The Associated Press on Saturday. He brought up memories of their
many conversations, recalled greeting crowds of supporters together in
Venezuela and also talked about Castro while condemning as unjust the
execution of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

'Fidel Castro told me one day, after they captured Saddam there in that
hole where they found him . . . , `Chávez, look at how they captured
Saddam. He should have died fighting. If they invade Cuba, I'm going
first, and you will see what you do. You're also on the list. But in any
case, we cannot be captured in a hole,' '' Chávez recalled in the interview.

Castro announced July 31 that he had undergone emergency intestinal
surgery and temporarily ceded his presidential duties to his brother
Raúl, the defense minister.

Chávez said with a chuckle that Castro told him recently: ''I was
needing this illness because now I read more.'' The Venezuelan leader
said Castro has largely recovered and has kept involved in running the
government alongside Raúl Castro.

Chávez praised Cuba's political system during the weekend interview, and
criticized that of the United States -- saying it is dominated by ``the
elite.''

''Democracy is government of the people,'' Chávez said. ``I think if
we're going to compare the extent of power that the people have, without
a doubt Cuba is more of a democracy than the United States.''

''In Cuba there is no child that isn't in school, no sick person who
isn't tended to,'' Chávez said.

Chávez dismissed accusations he wants to hold lifelong power, and said
he faces serious threats of being killed, just like Castro.

''Can someone who is threatened with death have plans to be in power
forever, knowing that any error could be fatal?'' Chávez said while
driving along a country road in southern Venezuela in a route he kept
secret for security reasons.

Despite his admiration of Cuba, Chávez denied that Venezuela's emerging
socialist system is being modeled after the island's. ''We're in the
middle of building it, like an artist painting a picture,'' Chávez said.
``We aren't copying anything.''

The U.S. government has repeatedly denied Chávez's accusations that it
is plotting an invasion of Venezuela, but Chávez said his intelligence
confirms there is a danger.

''They have a plan to invade Venezuela. To deny it would be absurd . . .
just as they have a plan to invade Cuba. Who could think they don't have
a plan to invade Cuba?'' said Chávez, who has pledged that Venezuela
would help defend the island if needed.

Chávez recalled that when he took office in 1999, ''our only ally on the
American continent was Cuba.'' Today -- with many more leftist leaders
in countries from Nicaragua to Bolivia -- ''how the map of Latin America
has changed,'' he said.

Chávez shares Castro's affinity for hours-long speeches and spontaneity.
During the four-hour drive, Chávez abruptly broke away from his
motorcade at one point, saying he wanted a glimpse of the Apure River
swollen by rains -- ''a magic river,'' he called it.

When he stopped his Toyota 4Runner at National Guard checkpoints, troops
snapped to attention and saluted, reciting Castro's trademark slogan,
now adopted by Chávez: ``Socialism or death!''

http://www.miamiherald.com/583/story/138159.html

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