"My
brother, what a joy, thanks a million," said Fidel Castro
as he embraced Hugo Chavez in Havana on Friday as Chavez
apologized for "having gotten [him] out of bed."
"You’re arriving just on time," Fidel told
Chavez, who joked about how the Cuban leader likes to be
punctual.
Chavez greeted Fidel and called him "the
knight of the heroic resistance, the knight of freedom and
the knight of truth."
In an atmosphere charged with humanity,
determination and love, Fidel kissed and greeted Chavez’
little granddaughter Maria and her mother.
Sitting
face to face, the two leaders began their warm
conversation, in the presence of a third brother, Raul
Castro, who was in the room, together with other Cuban and
Venezuelan comrades. General Raul Castro went to the
airport to receive Chavez, who came from a tour of Asia
and Africa.
During the moving encounter, Chavez and
Fidel exchanged the following messages, which they read
for all to hear.
Hugo:
Congratulations to you and to your
glorious Bolivarian people for your latest tour, which
exceeded all expectations.
The times have changed; it is a new and
unprecedented era. But nations, with such rich histories
like your own, have also changed or are changing. And
brilliant, audacious and brave statespersons, like you,
are emerging with new ideas that these so very difficult
times so badly need.
Long live Chavez!
Long live glorious Venezuela!
Long live Bolivar!
Long live Marti!
Long live Sucre!
Fidel
Castro:
Sept. 1st, 2006
10:10 a.m.
Long live Fidel,
Long live Cuba...
Today is September 1st... 2006.
In this third almost medical visit with
Fidel, I notice a marked improvement in the patient,
clearly visible in every way.
I congratulate you, Fidel. You’re doing
well!!
Fidel, we’re coming from a tour around the
world... You must know that the dawn of a new era
continues to emerge...
You are part of that dawn...
We all need you to keep "pushing the sun."
I bring you an embrace from millions of
people who, like me, admire you and say along with you:
Forever onward to victory!!
We shall overcome!!
Hugo Chavez
