Castro criticizes socialist Latin American leaders

Reuters ^ | Nov 11, 2007 | Marc Frank

[3AngelaD]

HAVANA - Convalescing Cuban leader Fidel Castro openly criticized Latin America's socialist-leaning presidents for the first time on Sunday. Castro also praised Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his other revolutionary regional allies in a commentary carried by official Cuban media on the Ibero-American summit in Santiago, Chile. Nearly all 19 leaders who attended the summit were leftists, but there was debate over the region's future and the closing speeches on Saturday were marked by sharp exchanges..."I listened with great sorrow to the speeches pronounced from traditional left positions at the Ibero-American summit," Castro wrote.

He was apparently referring to the presidents of Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and others who advocate social democracy with capitalism. "I felt proud of the pronouncements of various leaders, revolutionary and courageous," he said of the heads of state from Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua, who believe government and economic structures must be radically altered and a new relationship developed with the United States.

"Chavez's criticism of Europe was devastating. The Europe that precisely tried to dictate lessons at this Ibero-American summit," Castro said.

Spain's King Juan Carlos told Chavez on Saturday to "shut up" as the Venezuelan leader tried to interrupt a speech by Spain's socialist prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. Zapatero was criticizing Chavez for calling former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar a fascist.

[3AngelaD]

Castro can't tolerate anyone speaking up for democracy, not even his socialist buddies. Far from a fascist, Jose Maria Aznar ought to be heading up the U.N.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I found how the World had been misled by prostitute Writers,
to ascribe the greatest Exploits in War to Cowards,
the wisest Counsel to Fools,
Sincerity to Flatterers,
Roman Virtue to Betrayers of their Country,
Piety to Atheists,
Chastity to Sodomites,
Truth to Informers.

(III:8;5) Gulliver’s Travels
Jonathan Swift

[goldstategop]

The Communists have always loathed Social Democrats. The latter are the first targets of Communists when they come to power. The Hard Left does not tolerate moderates in its ranks. So Castro's reaction was entirely predictable.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[alicewonders]

Why do I keep getting the nagging feeling that Castro is already dead - or a vegetable - and that Chavez is “speaking” for him? Always when Castro “corresponds” with the people now, it is in writing. It doesn’t seem that many people, other than Chavez are allowed to “visit” with him.

Does anybody else think this could be possible?

[3AngelaD]

If he is not dead, he is definitely patas arriba. And yes, Chavez reads from Castro’s script.

[goldstategop]

Chavez wants to be Castro, Jr.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[y6162]

Time to crank up the Contras again.

Let the CIA be the CIA..

[The Great RJ]

Castro is either dead or so seriously ill that he is barely alive. Every recently released photo of him shows him wearing the same jumpsuit and some photos purportedly showing contemporary newspapers look doctored. These articles are just written by someone at the Cuban propaganda ministry recycling verbiage from Castro’s old speeches.

[NRA2BFree]

Hey Fidel, death will look good on you! YOU, are the one who needs to shut up!