Fidel Castro stands in solidarity with Venezuelan Defense minister

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro stood in solidarity with Venezuelan Defense Minister General-in-Chief Henry Rangel Silva, in a newspaper article.

In one of his Reflections, entitled "The Genius of Chavez," Castro referred to the speech delivered by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez at the National Assembly on the occasion of his annual report and accounts. Further, he made a historical analysis of Venezuelan politics and supported Venezuelan General Henry Rangel Silva, who was accused by the US of having links with the Colombian guerrillas and supporting their drug-trafficking activities.

"I would like to express my solidarity and consideration to General Henry Rangel Silva, Chief of the Armed Force's Strategic Operation Command and recently appointed Minister of Defense of the Bolivarian Republic. I had the honor of meeting him when he visited Chávez in Cuba. He is an intelligent, sound, capable yet modest man. I heard his calm, brave and clear discourse, which commanded confidence," Castro said.

Castro added that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are not a narco-terrorist group, contrary to the paramilitary forces, "which provided drugs to US drug traffickers."