MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

In spite of Bush, Chavez feels he'll reach old age.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez said he will grow old in spite of any attempts by the United States to kill him, but nevertheless thanked Cuban president Fidel Castro for his friendly warning.

"If Chavez is murdered, all the responsibility will be on the president of the United States and I'm warning world opinion about it", said Fidel Castro during the closing Saturday of an international economists forum held in Havana. "There are rumours, there's information, but they won't be successful, my good friend. Your will see that. I'll grow old as you have. I can assure you I'll reach old age", said President Chavez addressing the warning from Fidel Castro.

Mr. Castro praised President Chavez for the "definite" roles he was playing in regional politics but was particularly concerned abut the security of his main ally and partner.

"I know what I'm talking about, because you must fight to preserve a life before they can get at you. We're confronting an empire whose predilection is killing leaders", emphasized Mr. Castro before warning of a possible attack on Mr. Chavez life from the current US administration of President George Bush.

Mr. Castro said that the US was "mad" with Venezuela and "if they can finish Chavez, they'll finish him, because currently President Chavez is playing a vital role in Latinamerican politics".

Mr. Castro who has been in power since 1959 revealed that since becoming a close ally of the now defunct Soviet Union he survived at least 100 attempts against his life by the several US administrations.

In his closing speech to the anti globalization economists' forum in Havana Mr. Castro said "socialism" was well rooted in Cuba but is undergoing a "decisive stage" in Venezuela and therefore US attempts to eliminate President Chavez.

Last December Cuba and Venezuela signed an agreement exchanging oil for Cuban medical, dentist and educational assistance involving an estimated 20 to 30,000 doctors, dentists, teachers and sports coaches.

Incoming Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice described Cuba as a "stronghold of tyranny" and Venezuela as a regional "destabilizing force".