With Fidel Castro sidelined by illness, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez stormed through Cuba this week and stole the limelight from his ailing mentor.

Eight hours of Chavez speeches - including his weekly "Alo Presidente" show were broadcast live during his three-day visit to Cuba, a burst of rhetoric not seen since Castro dropped out of public view after intestinal surgery last year.

Chavez, bolstered by soaring oil prices, has emerged as Castro's political successor and the new leader of Latin America's growing left-wing bloc, which also includes Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua.