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• Caribbean
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• Politics and Government
• 01 / 18 / 2009

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Castro has not been seen in public since he underwent intestinal surgery in July 2006 that forced him to cede power to his brother, Raul.

Chavez, whose comments were read on Venezuelan state television, also said he had received a letter from Castro about a week ago.

After meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Chavez called Castro a father figure for all Latin American leftists.

"Lula today recalled a meeting with Fidel when he was ready to quit because he had lost so many elections, and Fidel motivated him, me too so many times and Daniel Ortega so many times. He is like the father of all of us," Chavez said.

Although he has been seen in occasional videos and photos since his surgery, Fidel Castro was notably absent this month from the 50th anniversary celebrations of his 1959 victory over dictator Fulgencio Batista.


(Reuters)