Cuban TV releases video of "fraternal meeting" between Castro and Chavez

Photo provided by Cuba Debate shows former Cuban leader Fidel Castro (L) reading a newspaper with the president of Venezuela Hugo Chavez, who is recovering from surgery in a hospital in Havana, capital of Cuba, June 28, 2011. (Xinhua/CUBADEBATE)

Cuba's official television Wednesday aired a video of a "fraternal meeting" between former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.

In the video, the two leaders met in a garden in the Cuban capital, where Chavez had pelvic surgery earlier this month, and both were wearing sports clothes and reading local newspapers.

A healthy-looking and smiling Chavez was standing and walking around with Castro, as both recalled pleasant moments of their joint visits to Venezuelan indigenous communities and exchanged personal stories of military experiences.

Analysts said that the release of the 20-minute video is aimed at tempering rumors Venezuela's president is seriously ill.

Chavez was scheduled to be back in Caracas on July 5, when the summit of Latin American leaders is to open. But shortly after the video was aired, Venezuela's government announced its decision to postpone the July 5-6 gathering until later this year, citing Chavez's fragile health.

Venezuela is Cuba's main trade partner and its most important political ally.

Source: Xinhua

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