CARACAS, Venezuela, June 28 (UPI) -- Cuban President Fidel Castro made a surprise visit to Venezuela Tuesday for an energy conference of Caribbean countries.
Earlier this week Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Castro would not attend, Globovision TV reported.
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The Venezuelan and Cuban leaders have cultivated close ties in the last few years, raising eyebrows in Washington. Venezuela -- one of the world's top oil producers -- provides Cuba with discount oil.
The Bush administration has accused Chavez of creating a Cuba-style authoritarian regime.
Chavez denies the accusation and in turn says the Bush administration is trying to undermine his authority and spread dissent in Venezuela.
