Fidel Castro trusts Barack Obama

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro says he does not doubt the sincerity of U.S. President Barack Obama in an editorial posted on the Juventud Rebelde Web site.

I personally harbor no doubt of the honesty with which Obama expressed his ideas,” Castro wrote. “However, despite his noble intentions, some questions remain unanswered. Like, how can a wasteful, consumerist system protect the environment.”

Obama promised to lift some restrictions currently in place against Cuba without ending the embargo that has lasted more than half a century.

BBC News

Fidel Castro Says He Harbors No Doubts About Obama’s Honesty Bloomberg - 1 hour ago By Daniel Cancel Jan. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Former Cuban President Fidel Castro, in his first editorial in five weeks, said he has no doubt that US President Barack Obama is honest and has “noble intentions. Video: Fidel's Doing Well? CBS Castro Ends Silence, Praises Obama Voice of America

Russian bombers visit Venezuela

Russia and the US continue to revive memories of the Cold War as Russian long-range Tu-160 bombers visited Venezuela on Wednesday.

Further to the north, Cuba is hosting Russian troops and four Russian warships for military maneuvers.

Venezuela is becoming another Cuba in terms of military might with increased arms purchases from Moscow and Beijing. President Hugo Chavez has ordered advanced fighters and submarines to prepare for what he believes is an inevitable US invasion.

The Russian presence in this hemisphere is reminiscent of the Soviet period when Cuba served as an important outpost for Moscow. Although the Russian military has downsized considerably since the fall of the Iron Curtain, recent tensions with the US and NATO have ignited a new militarization with significant armed forces upgrades. High oil prices are helping Moscow pay for the new weapons procurements and for military operations in distant regions.

Canada.com

Cold war echo: Russian military maneuvers with Venezuela Christian Science Monitor - 58 minutes ago Russia sent two long-range bombers to Venezuela Wednesday and will send warships and soldiers for joint exercises in November. By José Orozco | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor Caracas, Venezuela; and Mexico City - The last time a Russian ... Video: Russian bombers arrive in Venezuela RussiaToday Russia's Venezuela Foray: Tit for Tat? TIME