IN a new gesture of solidarity, President Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías, president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, arrived in our country on Saturday to inquire after the health of President Fidel Castro and to further strengthen links of friendship with the Cuban people.

Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque welcomed the leader of the Bolivarian Revolution and the delegation accompanying him at the foot of the landing steps at José Martí International Airport. The Venezuelan leader flew into Havana from the Dominican Republic where he completed an official visit after having participated in the Rio Group Summit of heads of State and Government in Brazil.

At 7.30 p.m, minutes after his arrival, President Chávez arrived at the Palacio de la Revolución where President Fidel Castro and the Cuban delegation were awaiting him. After an emotional and warm welcome, both leaders received congratulations from the Venezuelan delegation, comprising Jesús Pérez, minister for foreign affairs; Rafael Ramírez, minister for energy and mines; Nelson Merentes, minister of development funding; and Andrés Izarra, minister of communications and information, as well as Adán Chávez, Venezuelan ambassador to Cuba and other individuals.

They were subsequently greeted by the Cuban delegation, comprising Carlos Lage, vice president of the Council of State; Felipe Pérez Roque, minister of foreign affairs; Marta Lomas, minister of foreign investment and economic cooperation; Bárbara Castillo, minister of domestic trade; Francisco Soberón, president of the Central Bank of Cuba; Germán Sánchez, the Cuban ambassador to Venezuela; and other comrades.

Both parties expressed their profound emotion for President Chávez’ momentous victory in the August 15 referendum, as well as the overwhelming success of the Bolivarian candidates in the regional elections in Venezuela last October 31. In the same way, they expressed their satisfaction at Cuba’s extraordinary triumph at the UN General Assembly, where the resolution against the U.S. blockade was passed by an overwhelming majority.

Later, the leaders and their delegations sat down together to exchange information and opinions on a variety of issues in an excellent climate of cordiality.

President Hugo Chávez’ explanation of the issues discussed at the Rio Summit was of particular interest, including advances achieved in the process of Latin American integration.

President Chávez brought special greetings to Fidel from President Lula, as well as the widow of former Dominican President Juan Bosch, members of the National Union of Brazilian Students and other individuals.

The visit was an opportune moment for reviewing the Cuba-Venezuela

Integral Cooperation Agreement and the solidarity work of the Simón Bolívar International Brigade, a Venezuelan contingent currently working to rebuild homes damaged during Hurricane Ivan in the neighborhood of Sandino in Pinar del Río.