Havana – Cuba’s vice president said Sunday that Fidel Castro would return to work in a few weeks after intestinal surgery that forced him to hand over power temporarily to his younger brother.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Castro was out of bed and talking after his surgery as messages wishing the Cuban leader a quick recovery poured in from Latin America’s leading leftists and Elián González.
When asked when Castro would be back at work, Vice President Carlos Lage replied, “In a few weeks.”
Cuban officials have provided no details and released no pictures of Castro since his surgery was announced a week ago – fueling speculation about his condition. His brother Raul Castro, the defense minister, also has not been seen in public since the announcement.
Elián, the Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle six years ago between relatives in Miami and Cuba, joined the list of people wishing Castro a swift recovery.
“We send you this letter to let you know that we are worried about your health,” Elián, now 12, wrote to Castro.
