Hugo Chávez And FARC Wish Fidel Castro A Happy Birthday

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro, who is not dead, celebrated his 83rd birthday this past Thursday. He received heartfelt birthday wishes from such esteemed friends as Hugo Chávez and FARC. 

Chávez, the Cuban government has confirmed, dropped in on Castro at his residence in Cuba on Thursday. Their birthday bash, held at a roller skating rink where everyone danced to Juanes in between bites of ice cream cake,  turned into a business meeting of sorts as Raúl Castro, Cuba’s current leader, joined in. Chávez gifted Castro with two portraits, one of iconic Cuban writer and revolutionary José Martí and another of Venezuelan revolutionary Francisco de Miranda. 

Chávez made sure to announce upon his return to Venezuela that Castro is “in absolute use of his mental faculties,” adding, “You know what the imperialists say. Some say that Fidel is crazy. … They create rumors.”

FARC, which is not a terrorist group, also took time out of their busy schedule of kidnapping, raping and killing to wish the Communist leader a happy birthday. In an official note issued “from the mountains of Colombia,” the guerrilla group wrote:

A birthday would be without significance if one has done nothing for life and for humanity. But, in Fidel’s case, his life was been marked by creativity and the construction of faith for those who are exploited.

The card also featured a monkey smacking its forehead, accompanied by “It’s Your Birthday! Go Bananas!”

Hugo Chavez celebro con Fidel Castro su cumpleanos 83 [El Universal]