Speaking of Hugo Chávez, his long-time friend and ally, Cuban leader Fidel Castro praised him in an essay published on the front pages of state newspapers. In the essay, which marks the first time he has broken silence in about two weeks, Castro comments on the Ibero-American Summit by commending left-leaning leaders and deriding the more conservative ones:

In a brief essay published on the front pages of state newspapers, the ailing 81-year-old Castro also praised speeches by leftist presidents Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Eva Morales of Bolivia during the Ibero-American summit, which wrapped up Saturday in Santiago, Chile.

He blasted conservative leaders at the meeting, singling out El Salvador’s President Tony Saca, a U.S. ally.

No reference was made to King Juan Carlos’ spanking of Chávez. Nor of the time he told him to shut up. Hey-o!

Castro lauds Chávez for his latest tirade [The Miami Herald]