LATIS' AMb'K fCA
he believes capitalism is on the way out, that the United States is "finished"ajor world power, that it is corrupt, two-faced, and insincere, and that American democracy isham. He said he had noof letting up in hissince in its "present state of confusion" the United States must be kept on the ITe expressedthat the Sino-Soviet bloc would win the ideological war and he therefore deemed itto align Cuba witb the Communist countries. Since this conversation, Castro hasan ambassador toChina, and Cuba hasthe first non-bloc nation to accord diplomatic recognition to North Korea.
Castro went to considerable lengths in describing himself as tho rising leader of Latioand Africa, and he stated tbat only by taking anattitude toward the United States could he keep faith with his obligation to theof these areas. He indicated concern about the attitude of tho Betancourt government in Venezuela toward the Castro government, saying that if the Venezuelans wore not with him, he could "undermine theirnd bring them to their knees."
Castro said that he felt he had Cuba "very well In handand scoffed atof differences amongleaders. He said he wasabout the large number of defectors among his original supporters, since "only the weak ones" were taking such steps. Ho emphasized that the people's militia, which he asserted would be reliable and well trained, would make any armed aggressors "extremely sorry for their
Castro admitted that Cuba's economic situation was bad and that considerable difficulty was being experienced inis comments on Soviet technical assistance were enthusiastic, however, and he praised the Soviet technicians guiding the operations of the Cubaninstitute. "With all these excellent people laa said, "we will defeat thecapitalistic system."
CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM RELEASE AS7
Oct 60
INTELLIGENCE DIGEST
Original document.
Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic: