Americas News
First video of Castro since illness released (Roundup)
Aug 15, 2006, 1:12 GMT
Havana - The first video footage of ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro since his operation was aired on state television Monday.
The video showed Castro smiling in bed as he was visited by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a close ally and friend.
Chavez had been met Sunday in Havana by Castro's brother Raul. It was the first public appearance for Raul, Fidel's designated successor, since taking over temporary leadership from his brother more than two weeks ago.
Chavez, a leftwing populist who has forged close political ties with Fidel Castro, visited the bedridden Cuban leader for three hours late Sunday, the Cuban Communist Party's official newspaper Granma reported.
Castro underwent surgery on July 31 for intestinal bleeding and warned in a statement Sunday that his recovery will be long. The first pictures of Castro since his operation were also released Sunday, on the occasion of Castro's 80th birthday.
Until Sunday, the Cuban government's secrecy surrounding Castro's health, as well as the lack of any footage of Fidel Castro or his brother Raul, had sparked rumours that the 47-year Cuban leader could be seriously ill or even dead.
Chavez planned a working visit Monday in nearby Jamaica.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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