Castro slams U.S. over Venezuela

HAVANA, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Former Cuban head of state Fidel Castro has condemned the detainment of Venezuela's foreign minister in New York, The Miami Herald reported Monday.

Castro, who ceded control to his brother Raul Castro in late July due to illness, called the arrest a "vulgar provocation," the newspaper said.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro was detained Saturday at John F. Kennedy airport in New York after he arrived late for his flight and paid for his ticket with cash, raising suspicions of airport officials.

The U.S. State Department has issued an apology to the minister.