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Thursday, December 20, 2007

Chavez Meets With Castro in Cuba

Chavez Meets With Castro in Cuba
By VOA News
20 December 2007

President Chavez arrived Wednesday on his trip that will include
attending an oil summit later in the week. The visit comes two days
after President Castro released a letter hinting at retirement from the
Cuban leadership. In the letter, read on Cuban state television Monday,
Mr. Castro said he would not obstruct the rise of a new generation of
leaders.

It was the first suggestion from the 81-year-old Castro that he might
step down permanently from the presidency. He handed power to his
younger brother, Raul Castro, in July 2006 due to intestinal surgery,
but said the move was temporary.

Fidel Castro officially remains head of the government.

The Cuban leader has not been seen in public since the surgery but has
appeared in photographs and videos and is regularly credited with essays
on international themes. The Cuban leader seized power in a 1959
revolution. Details of his health are a state secret.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-12-20-voa2.cfm

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