Castro: Racism will prevent Obama from winning

HAVANA - Fidel Castro says a "profound racism" in the United States will stop millions from voting for Barack Obama in next month's presidential election.

The ailing, 82-year-old former Cuban president says it is "a miracle that the Democratic candidate hasn't suffered the same luck as (assassinated leaders) Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and others who harbored dreams of equality and justice."

Castro's written comments were published by state media Saturday. In them, he insists a "profound racism" exists in the U.S. and that millions of whites "cannot reconcile themselves to the idea that a black person ... could occupy the White House, which is called just that: white."

Castro also described Republican presidential candidate John McCain as "bellicose."