Cuba hails arrival of 'comrade Morales'

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The Scotsman
Sat 31 Dec 2005

Cuba hails arrival of 'comrade Morales'
MARC FRANK IN HAVANA

FIDEL Castro, the president of Cuba, yesterday welcomed Latin America's latest left-wing leader, Evo Morales, Bolivia's president-elect, to discuss political, economic and social co-operation.

A beaming Mr Castro greeted Mr Morales with a warm embrace. They have known each other for years.

"It appears the map is changing," Mr Castro said.

Mr Morales, an avowed socialist, chose communist Cuba for his first trip abroad since his overwhelming election victory two weeks ago.

"The Cubans are going to offer massive medical and educational assistance, like they did with Venezuela when Hugo Chavez became president," a Latin American diplomat predicted.

A government statement hailed Mr Morales's arrival on the eve of the 47th anniversary of the Cuban revolution that brought Mr Castro to power on 1 January, 1959.

"The presence of comrade Morales in Cuba fills our people with satisfaction and is an important stimulus to strengthen friendship and co-operation between the Cuban government and the future Bolivian government," the statement said.

Much to the chagrin of the United States, at 79 Mr Castro is less and less isolated in Latin America as left and centre-left parties come to power and strengthen their ties with Cuba.

Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina are all governed by progressive-minded independents, Mr Chavez has become Mr Castro's main ally and all Caribbean governments have restored diplomatic ties with Havana.

Like Mr Chavez and Mr Castro, Mr Morales is a fierce critic of the Bush administration and a supporter of Latin American integration.

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