HAVANA - A state-run newspaper in Havana published a column by Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in which he said that he believes that Venezuela "is destined to become a revolutionary model for the world," and discussed this and other revolutionary revelations with the ailing autocrat Hugo Chavez, who is in the country reportedly to receive a check-up on the status of his cancer.

In his newspaper column "Reflections," Castro wrote, "I talked with him at length yesterday and today (referring to Monday and Tuesday). I explained the eagerness with which I spend my remaining energies to the dreams of a better and fairer world."

The Cuban dictator said that the "empire" (United States) shows "unequivocal signs and symptoms of a terminal illness," and added that, "Saving humanity from an irreversible disaster is something that today can be blamed on the stupidity of several mediocre presidents of recent decades that have been at the helm of the empire, and even some of the increasingly powerful chiefs of the military industrial complex governing the destinies of that country."

However, the dictator had praise for "friendly nations of growing importance in the global economy," such as Russia and China, the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America, saying that they "could reach the goal" of saving humanity from capitalism.

Castro also mentioned that "the peoples of the rich developed nations are increasingly depleted by their own financial oligarchies, so they begin to play their part in the battle for human survival," an apparent reference to the "Occupy Wall Street" movement.

Castro, who has led Cuba with a one-party authoritarian dictatorship since 1959, claimed that "Venezuela, for its outstanding educational, cultural, and social achievements, and its immense energy and natural resources, is destined to become a revolutionary model for the world."

Without mentioning Cuba's existential reliance on Venezuelan oil, which it sells in the international market to provide hard currency for the regime's survival, the unctuous autocrat nevertheless illustrated his dependence on Chávez by gushing: Chavez is "methodical, tireless" and added, "I have observed him over 17 years since his first visit to Cuba. This is a very humanitarian person who is respectful of the law, and who never took revenge on anyone...the poor and the forgotten of his country deeply appreciate him, because for the first time in history, they have an answer to their dreams of social justice."

Castro predicted that the Bolivarian revolution led by Chavez would "in a very short time create jobs, not only for Venezuela but also for their Colombian brothers, an industrious people." 

Chavez arrived in Havana on Sunday night to undergo a "comprehensive review" after the four cycles of chemotherapy he has received since he was diagnosed with still undisclosed type of cancer.