Castros, Chavez discuss global situation

HAVANA: Cuban leader Fidel Castro and President Raul Castro have met Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez here and discussed bilateral and international issues, according to Cuba's official media. Mr. Chavez is recovering from a surgery he underwent in Havana.

The meeting seemed to be in a hospital room, and Cuban media described the meeting as “fraternal”, saying they reviewed “the close ties between Venezuela and Cuba” and “various current international issues.” “President Chavez is recovering, [and] he meets the medical indications and maintains close coordination with the Venezuelan Vice-President and other Ministers, aware of the main issues of his country,” Granma reported.

Granma did not provide any details on Mr. Chavez's surgery or how long he would stay on the island.

Mr. Chavez arrived in Havana on June 8, but two days later he reportedly received a surgery on pelvic abscess.

Venezuela is Cuba's main political and economic ally. The two nations have signed many economic agreements. — Xinhua