MEXICO CITY, Jan 1 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua on Thursday congratulated Cuba on the 50th anniversary of its socialist revolution.

    The Cuban Revolution was the "mother" of all Latin American freedom movements and the vanguard of people's pursuit for dignity in the continent, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said in Caracas.

    The Venezuelan government said in a statement Cuba had set an example for people seeking dignity, and had won the admiration and appreciation of Latin Americans.

    The victory is inseparable from the resolution, courage, dignity and resistance of the Cuban people, and it had brought hope to people in Latin America, the statement said.

    Bolivian President Evo Morales said at a press conference on Thursday the Cuban people freed themselves from U.S. rule 50 years ago, which contributed to people's liberation in the world.

    Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega in a message broadcast by the country's official radio station, La Nueva Radio Ya, warmly congratulated the Cuban leaders.

    The Cuban Revolution was led by Fidel Castro and the legendary Argentine Ernesto "Che" Guevara, which overthrew the dictatorial government of President General Fulgencio Batista on Jan. 1, 1959 and proclaimed the triumph of the socialist forces on the island.

    In July, 2006, Castro withdrew from public life due to health problems. He officially resigned on Feb. 24, 2008 and handed over power to Raul Castro.