Fidel Castro Sent Congratulations Message

Historic Victory of Chavez and the Venezuelan People

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 16 (acn) Over six million votes supported the Yes Option for a constitutional reform in Venezuela, which translated into a historic victory celebrated in Caracas by President Hugo Chavez and a large crowd of citizens.

The Bolivarian President read a message sent to him by Cuban Revolution leader expressing his congratulations to Hugo and to the people for a victory "whose magnitude can not be measured."

"This victory is also yours, Fidel, and of the Cuban people and of all Latin American peoples," Chavez exclaimed as he was cheered on by the crowd.

President Chavez described as historic the victory during the vote, which supports a constitutional reform that allows for continuous re-election of public offices, by democratic decision of the people.

Chavez dedicated the triumph to "our children and grandchildren," and added that it is the victory of Venezuela, even of those who did not vote and of those who favored the No option, although they do not accept it.

"With this victory, we start the third historic stage of the Bolivarian Revolution from 2009 through 2019. "We have opened the doors to the future in order to keep on the way towards the dignity of man," he said and recalled that such a way towards dignity is Socialism. "I want to ratify my commitment to Venezuelan Socialism," stressed Hugo Chavez.

Recalling Simon Bolivar, President Chavez reiterated that only the Revolution will allow Venezuelans to really "have their own homeland." He also congratulated all those who supported the vote, from the ones who carried out the campaign throughout the country to every woman and man in each community and settlement.

Histórica victoria de Chávez y el pueblo venezolano
--Transmite Fidel felicitaciones por el triunfo