Last week La Mala told us about the “love notes” circulating between ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. Today we found images of Fidel “in good spirits”, according to Cuban newspapers, and in the company of his amigo del alma Hugo:

Lying in bed, the Cuban president smiles and shakes hands with Mr Chavez, a close ally, as they celebrate his 80th birthday.

The state newspaper Granma earlier published still photos of the meeting.

…Granma called the bedside visit “Three Hours of Emotional Exchange”.

The photos show gifts being exchanged and the two leaders eating what Granma called a “frugal snack”.

The accompanying story quoted Mr Chavez – one of Mr Castro’s closest political allies – as saying: “This is the best visit I’ve ever had in my life.”

He is reported to have expressed admiration for the Cuban leader’s stamina, saying: “What kind of human being is this? What material is it made of?”

God, they really do sound like they are in love.

Via / BBC News

Photo via AP