Bolivian president-elect visits Cuba

HAVANA -- Bolivian President-elect Evo Morales and Fidel Castro gathered late Friday with scores of young Bolivians studying here, as the Indian nationalist began reaching out to other government leaders even before he takes office.

The same students, many of whom attend Cuba's Latin American School of Medicine on full scholarships from the communist government, were on hand early Friday to joyfully greet their future president when he received full honors upon his arrival.

Although he won't be inaugurated until next month, Morales was greeted by a red carpet, a military band and a smiling Castro when he stepped off the Cuban plane sent to pick him up in Bolivia.

Morales told those at the airport his preinaugural trip to the Caribbean island was "a gesture of friendship to the Cuban people."

Castro, dressed in his typical olive green uniform, hugged Morales, who has visited the island in the past as one of Latin America's leading protest organizers. The Cuban government has welcomed the Morales' election as an important triumph over U.S. influence in the region.

"I think that it has moved the world," Castro told reporters of Morales' electoral victory. "It's something extraordinary, something historic."

"The map is changing," said the Cuban leader, clearly delighted at Morales' visit.

The 79-year-old Castro has been one of the U.S. government's biggest headaches in the region during his 47 years in power. And Morales, a nationalist Indian activist who is a coca farmer, has repeatedly declared himself an admirer of Castro and has vowed to become a "nightmare" for Washington.

Nevertheless, since his election Morales has offered a more conciliatory message, telling business leaders he will create a climate favorable for investment and jobs and will not "expropriate or confiscate any assets."

Morales, who will be inaugurated on Jan. 22, won the presidency with nearly 54 percent of the vote -- the most support for any president since democracy was restored to Bolivia two decades ago.

He joins a growing number of left-leaning elected leaders in Latin America, some of whom are not shy about criticizing the United States. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Castro's close friend and ally, has repeatedly accused U.S. officials of plotting to assassinate him.

An Indian coca farmer and former protest leader, Morales campaigned on promises to halt a U.S.-backed coca eradication campaign in Bolivia.

He has vowed to promote legal markets for coca leaf, which is used to make cocaine but has many legal uses in Bolivia. He has also said he will crack down on drug trafficking.

The president-elect was to meet later in the day with Castro, though no details on the planned talks were made available.

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