Leftist Bolivian President-elect Evo Morales was heading Friday to Cuba, where President Fidel Castro's government hailed his electoral victory last week as a triumph over US imperialism.

Morales' choice of Cuba, which has inspired leftist anti-American movements across Latin America for nearly half a century, as the first stop on a world tour was heavy in symbolism.

The 79-year-old Castro has been one of the US government's biggest headaches in the region during his 47 years in power. Morales, for his part, has repeatedly declared himself an admirer of Castro and has vowed to become a "nightmare" for Washington.

Morales, who will be inaugurated on January 22, won the presidency December 18 with nearly 54 percent of the vote _ the most support for any president since democracy was restored to Bolivia two decades ago.

He joins a growing number of left-leaning elected leaders in Latin America, some of whom are not shy about criticizing the United States. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Castro's close friend and ally, has repeatedly accused US officials of plotting to assassinate him.

Partying until dawn on Thursday in Bolivia with the coca growers who helped him win the presidency, Morales told his supporters: "We are winning the green battle: the coca leaf is beating the North American dollar."

An Indian coca farmer and former protest leader, Morales campaigned on promises to halt a US-backed coca eradication campaign in Bolivia.

He has vowed to promote legal markets for coca leaf, which is used to make cocaine but has many legal uses in Bolivia. He has also said he will crack down on drug trafficking.

Morales and about 60 supporters _ including legislators and social leaders _ were expected to arrive in Havana Friday morning on an airplane sent by Castro, said Morales spokesman Alex Contreras.

The president-elect was to meet later in the day with Castro, though no details on the planned talks were made available. Morales has been a frequent visitor to Cuba in recent years.

Last week, the Cuban parliament heartily welcomed Morales' election victory "as if it were our own."
 
"You and your people have new and great challenges ahead," the National Assembly said in congratulating Morales.

"With the victory, a new history has been born, one of the emancipation of the people who colonialism and racism wanted to crush and annihilate," the Cuban lawmakers said.

Morales was to be back in Bolivia by early Saturday evening for a New Year's Eve celebration in his honor in his hometown of Orinoca.

On January 4, the 46-year-old president-elect departs on a world tour that will include visits to Spain, France, Brussels, Holland, South Africa, China and Brazil.

Contreras said Morales will hold "talks with an open agenda" with the leaders of those countries.

He added that Morales and his entourage have been invited by the host governments, "so they will not be spending a single peso."

(Chinadaily.com via agencies December 30, 2005)