Castro celebrates Derbez's OAS withdrawal

HAVANA, April 30 (UPI) -- Cuban president Fidel Castro is applauding the Mexican foreign secretary for ending his bid to head the Organization of American States.

Castro made the statement during a Friday meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and the Bolivian coca grower's chief Evo Morales.

The Cuban leader said he was happy about the decision because it was "another defeat" of the United States, La Jornada reported Saturday.

Luis Ernesto Derbez, the Mexican foreign secretary, announced Friday he was withdrawing from the presidential race. Castro said he believed Derbez had been the "imperial candidate" of the United States.