Exiled Cuban author Carlos Alberto Montaner said on Tuesday that the Cuban government is most fearful that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez might lose power and "would do anything," including electoral fraud, to prevent it from happening.

Queried whether Cuba would accept Chávez's defeat, Montaner (Havana, 1943) answered in a conference held at Miami, that the Castro's regime is ready to undertake any action in order to prevent him from stepping down, to such an extent as to resort to "electoral fraud" and "intimidation of (Venezuelan) opponents," Efe reported.

In a conference held in the University of Miami, the writer and journalist disclosed that electronic manipulation and alteration of election results is practiced in Cuba, "where there is a notable University of Information Technology," hence the "insistence on using electronic machines in Venezuelan voting."

"For quite a while, the two countries are tied by fiber optic able to deliver a great volume of data. Frauds are committed in Cuba to prevent Venezuelans' indiscretions," Montaner said.

"The information handled by Havana on the next election for the Venezuelan parliament to be held this month, reveals that the opposition has a substantial advantage," Montaner said.

In his speech entitled "For the Castro brothers, Venezuela is a cow of endless teats," the writer made reference to several talks with diplomats accredited to Cuba and Venezuela, businessmen who travel to both countries, and relatives of nomenclature members.