HAVANA, Cuba.-The crew of Venezuelan school ship Simon Bolivar, began today its activities in Cuba, where they paid tribute to the national hero Jose Marti and the great independence leader the ship is named after.

The vessel was received in Havana with 21 gun salutes by a battery of the General Antonio Maceo Inter-Arms Academy of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Order Antonio Maceo.

Rear Admiral Carlos Duque, head of the Revolutionary Navy of Cuba, and Major General Pedro Quiaro, Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Venezuela, attended the act of welcome.

During a tour by the school-ship, the Venezuelan high officers remarked the ties of brotherhood between both nations, and at the same time they a call to keep alive the legacy of Fidel Castro, leader of the Cuban Revolution, and Commander Hugo Chavez.