Nov. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Cuba's former president, Fidel Castro, said U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama is the ``more intelligent'' choice though he cautioned that the Democratic senator isn't concerned with the world's biggest problems.

Castro, who handed governing authority over to his brother this year after ruling the communist country for 49 years, noted that Obama plans to cut taxes for the middle class and increase taxes for the rich. U.S. voters will decide between Obama and Republican candidate John McCain in today's election.

``He's without a doubt more intelligent, refined and even- handed than his Republican adversary,'' Castro wrote in a ``reflection,'' which was sent via e-mail. ``McCain is old, belligerent, uncultivated, unintelligent and in poor health.''

Obama said earlier this year he would allow Cuban-Americans to travel and take money to relatives in Cuba, while maintaining an embargo on trade with the country. McCain has said he would also maintain the five decade-old trade ban, while taking steps to hasten democratic changes in Cuba.

To contact the reporter on this story: Matthew Walter in Caracas at mwalter4@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 4, 2008 09:28 EST