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An emotional journey for Castro, Chavez

ALTA GRACIA (Argentina): In an emotional journey, Cuban President Fidel Castro and Venezuelan ally Hugo Chavez toured the Argentine boyhood home of Mr. Castro's fallen comrade and legendary guerilla, Ernesto ``Che'' Guevara. It was a first visit for both.

``Fidel! Fidel!'' and ``Hugo! Hugo!'' the crowd of 2,000 chanted as the 79-year-old Castro, wearing his trademark green military fatigues, got out of his limousine.

While Mr. Castro made no public comment, he smiled broadly and shook hands with supporters in the crowd. Mr. Chavez told reporters the two were delighted by their tour: ``Fidel invited me to come and get to know the house. For me, it's a real honour being here."

Mr. Castro (79) first visited Argentina in 1959 after the Cuban revolution and returned this week to attend a summit that inducted Venezuela into the Mercosur trade bloc.

Guevara spent much of his childhood in central Argentina, where his family hoped a mild climate would ease the boy's severe asthma.

They later moved to Buenos Aires, where Guevara enrolled in medical school before launching his famous motorcycle trip around South America that inspired him to give up medicine for leftist revolution.

He was killed in 1967 while leading a guerilla movement in Bolivia. His remains were taken three decades later to Cuba, where they are entombed under a massive monument.

Vintage motorbike

Mr. Castro and Mr. Chavez viewed Guevara's birth certificate, handwritten letters and a vintage motorbike like the one he rode across South America.

Guevara launched an armed revolt in 1966 to bring communism to Bolivia after helping lead the Cuban revolution that ousted dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959 and brought Mr. Castro to power.

Guevara waged a guerilla insurgency for 13 months in Bolivia but was captured and executed by the Bolivian army at the age of 39.

His death helped transform him into an iconic, larger-than-life figure revered by leftist movements worldwide.

AP

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