The Cuban president, Fidel Castro has attacked right-wing politicians in the United States for blocking closer co-operation with his country in the battle against drugs trafficking.

Speaking at celebrations to mark the start of his revolution forty-six years ago, Mr Castro accused his opponents in America of waging a campaign of lies and blackmail.

Cuba is increasingly becoming a drugs trans-shipment point, and Mr Castro has long called for closer co-operation with the US in the effort to counter the smugglers.

But conservative US politicians and Cuban-American leaders have worked to prevent this, accusing the Cuban government of itself being involved in smuggling. Mr Castro warned that if his government were destroyed, as his enemies in America would like, Cuba would quickly become a centre for corruption, drugs and crime.