Cuban leader Fidel Castro looked healthier in a taped television
interview on Friday.
These are the first images of the Cuban leader released in more
than three months since his last appearance on Cuban television on
June 5.
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TV grab from Cuban TV of
Cuban President Fidel Castro, in Havana. Castro appeared Friday in
a taped television interview, the first images of him since June
5.
Television officials said the one-hour interview of Castro with
"Informative Round Table" was recorded earlier in the day.
Appearing on television, a seated Castro looked thinner and
still fragile, but alert and thought clearly.
Speculations on Castro's health were awash since he handed power
to Raul Castro, Cuba's defense minister, in July 2006 when he
underwent surgeries for intestinal bleeding.
He has not been seen in public since then, but has written
regularly in the country's official newspapers on current
affairs.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who is visiting
Brazil on energy partnership, said on Friday that Castro was in
good health although he has underwent a blood transfusion and three
delicate surgeries.
"What problem does Fidel Castro have? Well, one operation, two
operations, three operations, 81 years... He almost died. They
changed almost all his blood," Chavez said.
"He is writing. He looks like a journalist," Chavez said, adding
that he had talks with Castro about three weeks ago, and the
81-year-old leader made a joke in the conversation, saying he
"missed" his illness which allowed him time to write and watch
TV.
Chavez said he also tried to encourage Castro to take over his
positions in the Cuban government again.
Chavez, Castro's close friend, often criticized news reports
which speculated on Castro's health.
(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2007)
