Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has sent a portrait of "the liberator" Simon Bolivar to former Cuban leader Fidel Castro as a birthday gift, Cuba's official daily Granma reported on Wednesday.
Chavez was cited as saying that the portrait, which was paintedby a retired Venezuelan officer, was the best of Bolivar.
The Venezuelan president called the 82-year-old former Cuban leader "father Fidel" in his congratulatory message, Granma said.
Meanwhile, another birthday message was sent to Castro on behalf of all Cuban workers, wishing him a quick recovery from illness.
According to Granma, the message said that Castro has brought hope and justice to Cuba and the workers "feel proud" of having Castro on a day like this.
Castro has not been seen in public since he became ill two years ago. He resigned as president in February, relinquishing thepost to his brother Raul.
The former leader looked thin but vigorous during a meeting with Chavez in mid-June, a video footage on Cuban state TV showed.
Source: Xinhua
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