Nicolás Maduro Pays An Unofficial Visit To Fidel Castro On His 88 Birthday

Apparently sending a basket of fruit and a tracksuit to friend, Fidel Castro for his birthday didn’t seem appropriate for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This is why he chose to fly to Cuba and deliver the gifts himself. The visit seemed unofficial as it was not previously announced and did not seem to have a political agenda assigned. Cuba’s former president did not comment on whether Maduro was going to meet with Raul Castro or any other officials. However, Fidel Castro’s column, ‘Reflections’ mentioned that Maduro was fulfilling his promise to visit Castro for his 88^th birthday.

Cuba and Venezuela have been longtime allies. When socialist leader, Hugo Chavez, lost his battle with cancer last year, Fidel Castro wrote that Cubans “had lost their best friend.” Castro had always provided support and advice to former Venezuelan president and continues to do the same with his successor, Nicolás Maduro. In this last visit, they talked about the conflict in Gaza and praised Maduro’s solidarity with the Palestinian people while condemning the genocides.

The Cuban mandatary who had his brother, Raul Castro, take over his leadership in 2006, released a message in Cuban media, entitled "True friendship" where he expressed his admiration for Venezuela’s efforts having recently sent 12 tons of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. Sources indicate that the reason of the visit also had to do with discussing ‘the defense of his Maduro’s country’s major oil interests.’