HAVANA, Cuba -- Cuban President Fidel Castro watched President George W. Bush's inaugural address closely in 2005, and said what he saw was "the face of a deranged person."

He drew laughs when he added, "If only it were just the face."

Castro may have been partially reacting to remarks previously made by Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice, who labeled Cuba an ''outpost of tyranny'' during testimony before Congress.

Castro defended his communist country by saying it is a paradise that is doing fine without the help of the United States or Europe.

He also warned against an invasion by the United States. Washington officials deny any such action is in the works.

Castro said such an attack would be a "mistake."