Not so! Chavez has lots of money and Fidelito has the troops to use it. My bet is that Chavez doesn't use Venezuelans to man the anti-Columbian bases but, rather, uses Cubans. If fact, there are probably Cuban special forces trying to destabilize the governments of 3 or 4 countries.
Despite all the pro-Cuba articles (another one this morning in the Dallas Morning News) in our ultra-left wing press, they have not mellowed and turned into passive enemies. The Cuban are processing Arab terrorists through Mexico in to the US and have special forces working against Columbia and any other government that is moving away from socialism. Facts? No, but our government must make these assumptions; it is the only prudent course.
Yah, but Castro has to keep more troops at home to keep the locals from throwing him out. I live in Chile and have know
many people (at least 20 professionals) who have visited Cuba as tourists, as doctors, etc. and the consensus is that the Cuban people would turn on a dime if given half a chance. I've also met a number of Cubans who have been allowed out of the country and most of those, after a few drinks will admit the same thing.
Castro provides what help he can but be certain that Cuba is a big hollow shell held up by Castro's own hot air. Cuban Communism will not survive him, and spends an inordinate amount of effort in maintaining itself afloat. It has less left over than you might think.