Caracas: Venezuela`s President Hugo Chavez said Cuba`s Fidel Castro, who has not made a public appearance since handing over power to his brother in 2006, is active and "in very good health."
Chavez met with Castro, 83, on Thursday during a surprise visit to Havana. He spoke about it in a talk to Cuban and Venezuelan doctors participating in a joint social programme here.
"We spent three enjoyable hours talking, laughing, discussing, taking decisions, looking toward the future," Chavez said.
"Fidel in is very good health. He writes, he analyzes," added Chavez, according to a statement of his remarks released by the presidency.
Venezuela has emerged as Cuba`s closest ally thanks to ideological ties between Chavez and the Castro regime.
The top oil exporting Latin American nation supplies Cuba with more than 100,000 barrels of crude a day. Cuba in return has dispatched some 40,000 doctors, teachers and sports coaches to Venezuela.
Bureau Report
