CARACAS, Venezuela: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he will visit hurricane-ravaged Cuba this weekend before leaving on a trip to China and Russia.

Chavez says he was invited by close friend Fidel Castro and his brother Raul, Cuba's current president.

He said in a speech Friday that Cuba can "count on" Venezuela for help after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike recently did an estimated US$5 billion in damage. He did not give details.

Chavez departs next week for Russia and China. The Venezuelan leader has pledged greater cooperation with Moscow on oil production and weapons.

He also has said repeatedly that Venezuela must slash its reliance on selling oil to the U.S. by expanding to other markets such as China.