Americas Features

Fidel Castro back under limelight as he turns 84

By Vicente Poveda Aug 13, 2010, 14:22 GMT

A hand out photo provided by CUBADEBATE on 09 August 2010 shows Cuban former President Fidel Castro during an interview in Havana, Cuba, 08 August 2010.EPA/ROBERTO CHILE Handout

   Havana - When poor health forced Fidel Castro to leave the Cuban presidency in 2006, he himself admitted that he had been on the brink of death.

Four years later, Castro, set to turn 84 on Friday, appears fit and strong and is making new efforts to remain a part of the international political scene.

Only last week he received a long standing ovation from legislators at the Cuban National Assembly, where he delivered an uncharacteristically short speech but still spoke his mind on nuclear war, the Middle East and as usual, Cuba's arch-rival, the United States.

After more than four years away from political events, Castro again donned his trademark fatigues and appeared before television cameras in footage that Cuban authorities allowed to be shown live.

'The western world's main networks, those we want to listen to this, are broadcasting. I would say that every minute, if it were to be paid for as advertising, would be worth at least 100 million dollars,' Castro told more than 600 legislators in Havana.

Castro wanted to make it clear that he is back.

The man who led Cuba with an iron fist since 1959 only stepped down from power 'temporarily' in 2006 in order to undergo surgery for an unspecified intestinal illness. But by 2008, the transfer of leadership to his brother Raul Castro had become permanent.

But the elder Castro never quite left. As he recovered at a secret location, he started to address Cubans through columns on a variety of topics known as the Reflections of Comrade Fidel. Beyond that, he kept up his public presence with photos of his meetings with foreign dignitaries who visited the island.

Last month, he left his home and started attending various public cultural and social events for the first time, before upping the stakes by appearing live on television before the National Assembly.

Castro remains the first secretary of the Cuban Communist Party, so he is formally the country's top political figure. His brother Raul once requested permission from legislators to consult the island's traditional leader on any important decisions he had to make as president.

But it remains unclear whether the recent public appearances mean that Fidel Castro wants to take back the reins of power.

So far, he has avoided comment on domestic policy issues. And he has also avoided symbols that might be clearly identified with power. His fatigues bear no military symbols, and even during his return to the National Assembly he did not take the seat he used to hold as president, which has remained empty since 2006.

When he appeared before legislators, he said he would have time on his hands after the session, and he noted that he intended to fill it with writing. The first volume of his memoirs was published last week, and he is working on the second, he said.

'I'll have to defend some literary prize. What's that one's name, the one about the Prince of Asturias? I think they pay a lot of money for that one now,' the elderly Castro joked in reference to a Spanish literary prize.