President George W. Bush called Cuban leader Fidel Castro a "cruel dictator" again today, apparently unconcerned that the same comment angered Cuban officials at the United Nations last month.
Speaking about trade in Miami, a city where Cuban-Americans harbor strong anti-Castro feelings, Mr Bush drew a standing ovation from the audience with his Castro criticism.
"In Havana, the long rule of a cruel dictator is nearing an end," Bush said. Similar words in his speech at the UN General Assembly in September prompted Cuba's foreign minister to walk out in protest.
It was an apparent reference to Castro's illness, which forced the Cuban leader to hand over power to his brother last year.
"As Cuba enters a period of transition, nations throughout the hemisphere and the world must insist on free speech, free assembly," Mr Bush said.
"They must insist that the prisoners in Cuba be free, and ultimately we must insist on free and competitive elections."