Fidel Castro - liberator of Cuba-arrived by plane at Maiquetia Airport, Venezuela, Jan 23, to a hero's welcome. Thousands of Venezuelans and South American exiles mobbed each of Castro's staff as they stepped from the aircraft.

Before landing Castro was in radio contact with the crowd and broadcast a goodwill message thanking the people of Venezuela for their aid in overthrowing Batista.

President Wolfgang Larrazabal was prevented from greeting Fidel Castro by the throng on the airfield. His guest was carried shoulder high and driven to Caracas on a fire engine.

Castro visited Venezuela for the first anniversary of another dictator's downfall, Perez Jimenez, returning to Cuba Jan 25, where the 'Roman Holiday' public trials of Batista followers have been suspended. After the riotous trial of Major Jesus Sosa Blanco last week in the Sports Coliseum the Government announced that the trials of two other major 'war criminals' would be conducted in Cabana Fortress Prison this week.