The legendary Cuban leader who still leads the Cuban Communist Party, and whose brother Raul is currently president, lashed out at Obama over Washington's deal with Bogota -- strongly opposed throughout the region -- allowing it use of Colombia's military bases.

In an article appearing in the official Granma daily newspaper, Fidel Castro charged that US use of Colombia's bases "threatens not only Venezuela, but all the people ... of our hemisphere."

The agreement "violates legal, constitutional and ethical norms," said the 83-year old Castro, who handed over power of the communist island three-and-a half years ago to his younger brother Raul during a health crisis.

Colombia last month granted the United States access to seven military bases for counternarcotics operations, a deal that angered leftist South American governments wary of a strong US presence in the region.

Colombia's neighbors Venezuela and Ecuador have been particulary outspoken in their opposition to the deal, noting that intelligence and other operations could be carried out on their territory from Colombia.

Washington insists that the agreement is aimed at boosting cooperation in fighting guerrillas and tackling rampant drug trafficking.

But Fidel Castro charged that the United States has a long history of citing its fight against drug smuggling to further "its interventionist aims."

Until now, Cuba had been flattering to Obama personally while criticizing some US policies.

But "this isn't an action taken by (Obama's predecessor as president George W.) Bush -- it is Barack Obama who signed this deal," the former Cuban president argued, adding that Havana has strong reasons to regard the deal with suspicion.

The United States has held a naval base in Guantanamo, Cuba, against Havana's wishes for decades.

"A country like Cuba knows only too well, since the United States has imposed its military base .... in Guantanamo for more than 100 years," he said referring to the controversial US naval base on Cuban soil.

The bearded Castro's scathing remarks may spell an end to what appeared to be potential for better relations between Havana and Washington. Cuba and the United States do not even have full diplomatic ties.

In April, the Obama administration lifted travel and money transfer restrictions on Cuban-Americans with relatives in Cuba, though Washington has said it will not end a decades-old trade embargo until Cuba can show that it has made progress on human rights.

Havana, with no free press and without a multiparty system, argues that it has no human rights issues to improve.

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