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Then I received support from the Government to compete for my country, and to represent Cuba in competition.

Living in Cuba made me unafraid of whatever could happen to me.

I can tell you that I never aspired to be president. I always honour something that Commander Chavez told us: that while we were in these posts, we must be clothed in humility and understand that we are here to protect the man and woman of the streets.

When I was back in Cuba, who could have imagined I would be invited to the White House!

There's a growing consensus that the best way to defeat communism in Cuba is to get its citizens hooked on American goods.

Forty-two years ago, I came to America from communist Cuba so I might have a better way of life, a freer way of life - a more democratic way of life. I wanted to live the American Dream where if you worked hard and put your mind to the task, anything was possible.

My presidential victory, if it had happened, would have been artificial in relation to the Socialist party. It may be that on my deathbed, I will come to regret my decision, but for the moment, I live at peace with it.

I helped to restore America's leadership.