Fidel Castro Praises Martin Torrijos Cuba Visit
Cuba´s President Fidel Castro was very pleased with the results of the visit of his Panamanian counterpart Martin Torrijos, who left Havana for his country early Thursday.

"He reminds me of his father Omar Torrijos, who had the same spirit when he visited Cuba," the Cuban leader told reporters when giving a farewell to Martin Torrijos, who fulfilled a full work agenda in this capital.

Fidel Castro said the Wednesday meeting with his counterpart was an example of the current excellent relations between the two nations, after a period of crisis during the mandate of the ex President Mireya Moscoso, who pardoned terrorist Luis Posada Carriles.

Meanwhile, Torrijos expressed his satisfaction and gratitude for the solidarity of the Caribbean country, especially the work of Operation Miracle, through which 74 Panamanians are already in Havana to receive free ophthalmologic assistance.

"We are in a new cooperation and solidarity stage with Cuba, mainly for the impact and the change it will represent in the lives of underprivileged Panamanians, who now have the opportunity of being assisted as they deserve," added Torrijos.

The Panamanian leader also insisted that the two countries keep up bilateral exchange in areas such as education, culture, sports, research, social projects, among others.

"We are leaving with our suitcase full of ideas and hopes," concluded the Panamanian president.