Cuba backs Venezuela's right to self-defense: Raul Castro

Cuba's leader Raul Castro on Monday supported Venezuela's right to defend itself against threats and provocations in its spat with Colombia.

Towards the end of a meeting between Cuban and Venezuelan leaders, Castro commented on the claims made by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during the weekend that the United States and Colombia were preparing for an attack on Venezuela.

"We are fighting for peace and harmony between our kindred peoples. Our efforts will always have this goal, but no one should have the slightest doubt on whose side Cuba would stand," Castro said.

Venezuela broke off relations with Colombia on Thursday after Bogota accused Caracas of harboring 1,500 Colombian guerrillas in its territory.

"We live in a difficult international situation, in which political instability, economic and the environmental degradation are added to the danger of further military adventures in different parts of the world," Castro said.

He criticized the U.S. military presence in Colombia, which he believes poses a serious threat to the regional stability and sovereignty of neighboring countries.

Colombia and the United States signed a military cooperation agreement on Oct. 30, 2009, allowing the presence of U.S. troops in at least seven Colombian bases. This move met with strong opposition from Colombia's neighboring countries Venezuela and Ecuador.

Source: Xinhua