Havana, Feb 5 (IANS/EFE): Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who remains in Cuba convalescing from his fourth cancer surgery since June 2011, "is much better", retired Cuban head of state Fidel Castro said.

"It's been a hard fight, but he's been improving. We have to cure him. Chavez is very important for his country and for Latin America," Castro said after casting his ballot in Sunday's legislative elections, Communist Party daily Granma reported.

The leader of the Cuban Revolution added that he is briefed daily on Chavez's condition.

The 86-year-old Fidel transferred power to younger brother Raul Castro in July 2006 due to a grave illness.

Chavez, 58, has been in Havana since last Dec 11 when he underwent the latest of his four operations. The leftist president has also undergone courses of chemotherapy and radiation in Cuba.

In office since 1999, Chavez was re-elected last Oct 7 by a comfortable margin and is supposed to serve until 2019.