Caracas: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday that he had visited Cuba and met retired leader Fidel Castro, considered one of his leftist mentors.
Maduro, whose country is facing a severe economic crisis, said his talk with the ailing Castro focused on global issues.
"I made the most of Tuesday`s day of carnival and I visited Comandante Fidel Castro, who sends his greetings to all the people of Venezuela," Maduro said during lengthy comments broadcast publicly.
"We talked about the world, peace, and climate change -- we spoke on many subjects."
The embattled Venezuelan leader often makes known his Cuban trips only once he`s returned home.
During his stay in Havana, Maduro also met President Raul Castro and other senior officials.
Raul Castro took over from his brother Fidel in 2006.
Venezuela has been Cuba`s main political and economic ally since the late Hugo Chavez came to power in Caracas in 1999.
