For all of who believe that Hugo Chavez is modeling himself after Fidel Castro, here’s some proof for you: he’s just as long-winded. Last Sunday, on his weekly radio and television address “Alo Presidente“, Chavez spoke for an unprecedented 8 hours straight.

According to Spain’s EFE Agency via 20 Minutos, who apparently had the stomach to sit through it all, Chavez recited poetry by Pablo Neruda, sang a couple of songs, defended his friend Irani president Mahmud Ahmadineyad and spoke about his upcoming visit to France, among other things.

Sorry, Huguito, but you shut down a television station and restrict the airing of telenovelas to give your people this?

As far as modeling himself after Fidel, I think he’s actually beat the Cuban leader’s record — which was 7 hours — after which he collapsed.

Via / 20 Minutos