Castro asks Mandela to keep South Africa away from U.S. military presence

HAVANA, — Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro on Sunday sent a message to South African former President Nelson Mandela, asking him to keep his country away from U.S. military bases and NATO, the official website Cubadebate said.

“You should exercise all your immense moral force to keep South Africa away from U.S. military bases and NATO,” said Castro.

He called Mandela his old and prestigious friend, adding he is happy to see him “acknowledged by all the world political institutions as a symbol of freedom, justice and human dignity”.

Mandela, an anti-apartheid legend, turned 92 on Sunday.

Cuba marked the internationally recognized Nelson Mandela Day on his birthday.

Castro and Mandela met personally when Mandela visited Havana in 1991, after his release from prison. Castro decorated him with the Jose Marti’s order, the highest honor.