La Paz, Aug 9, (RHC), -- Bolivian President Evo Morales said he considered Fidel Castro an eternal and unforgettable leader, and highlighted the support and solidarity he received from the Cuban strongman when he assumed the presidency of Bolivia in 2006.

To me, Fidel will be our eternal leader. Fidel is a humanist and a man of solidarity (...) and talking to him is always a great lesson, said Morales at the Government Palace in La Paz.

President Morales thanked the support by the Cuban former president and his people during the first years of his administration.

He also said the Cuba’s collaboration has allowed increasing the Bolivian population's living standards, eradicating illiteracy and extending access to health with programs such as Operation Miracle (free eye-surgery program for the population).

He also highlighted that the dream of the Historic leader of the Cuban Revolution of integrating the continent in a single bloc came true with the creation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, an organization that excludes the United States and Canada.

In his opinion, that group is a way of getting rid of the traditional mechanisms of political and economic domination that ruled for centuries in the region.

Evo Morales made these statements during the presentation of the book "Los Ojos del Puma" (The Cougar's Eyes) by writer Mercedes de Alma, which illustrates the importance of the reforms led by Morales in Bolivia in 2006.

The meeting was also attended by Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera, cabinet members, members of the Cuban diplomatic mission and other top officials of the country.