Cuba sent additional "teachers" and "doctors" to help in the proselytizing. And China -- notorious for violations of human rights and unfriendliness to America - also sent "workers" to help Chavez's regime.
As Castro did in Cuba after 1959, the armed forces of Venezuela were reorganized by putting Chavez's cronies in charge of all important positions in the military. And as in Cuba, promotions became conditional on political beliefs. Cuban military advisers and intelligence operatives descended on Venezuela to help organize the repressive apparatus necessary to keep the new dictator in place.
The so-called "Cubanization" of Venezuela was well underway when, on June 10, 2001, Chavez, following Castro's example and guidelines, created paramilitary battalions to repress and intimidate his political adversaries. While in Cuba they are called "Rapid Response Brigades" Chavez called his "Bolivarian Circles."***
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Executive Director of Carter Institute: Dr. John Hardman - Child psychiatrist --headed the Initiative to Reduce Global Tobacco Use. *** During his 1977-1981 presidential term, Carter slightly eased diplomatic and travel restrictions to Cuba. The delegation will include Latin America scholar Robert Pastor, an Emory University professor. He also is adviser to the Carter Center's Americas program, established in 1986 to strengthen democracy in the Western Hemisphere. Among others in the group will be Dr. John Hardman, a physician and executive director of the Carter Center, which the Carters founded in 1982 as a nonprofit organization to advance peace and health worldwide.
I guess he's going to tell Castro to stop making cigars and give Elian a once over.
National Security Council (1977-81) , fellow-Carter Center: Robert A. Pastor Toward a North American Community: Lessons from the Old World for the New
I guess he's going to reminisce with Jimmy and Fidel about setting up Cuban - U.S. Interest Sections and lifting of travel ban during Carter's presidency.
1976 Jimmy Carter Times Man of the Year.
Old Foes United in Their Grief: Presidents Carter and Castro Both Felt Close to our Late Prime Minister *** Each had their special relationship with Trudeau. While president in 1977-81, Carter sought advice on world affairs from the more senior statesman. "I think, more than any other person I know, Pierre Trudeau has been a symbol of unity, of human rights, of democracy and freedom around the world and was a great leader, even to help American presidents," Carter said. Castro's relationship with Trudeau was sealed during the PM's historic visit to Cuba in 1976. The trip opened a new era of friendship that continues today. The Cuban leader's affection is so strong that, before leaving Havana for the funeral, he declared a three-day period of mourning and had the flags of his nation lowered to half-staff.***
Carter to visit Cuba; he'll be 1st ex-president there since '59*** ''As you probably would remember, when I was president, I departed from my predecessors and unfortunately my successors, in lifting all travel restraints on American citizens to go to Cuba almost immediately when I was president within a few weeks,'' Carter said. ``And I also established interests sections, which is one step short of full diplomatic relationships between Havana and Washington. And those interest sections with staffs representing our countries have never been closed.***