Havana – Fidel Castro sent Cubans a sober greeting on his 80th birthday Sunday, saying he faces a long recovery from surgery – and warning that they should be prepared for “adverse news.” But he encouraged them to be optimistic, saying Cuba “will continue marching on perfectly well.”
As a newspaper printed the first pictures of Castro since his illness, his younger brother, Raul, made his first public appearance as Cuba’s acting president. State TV showed him at the airport greeting Vene zuelan President Hugo Chavez on his arrival to celebrate Fidel’s birthday.
Castro, who underwent surgery for an unspecified intestinal ailment that forced him to step aside as president two weeks ago, said in a statement that his health had improved but stressed that he still faced risks.
“To affirm that the recovery period will take a short time and that there is no risk would be absolutely incorrect,” said the statement in the Communist Youth newspaper, Juventud Rebelde. “I ask you all to be optimistic, and at the same time to be ready to face any adverse news.”
The Communist Party newspaper Granma had offered a rosier picture of Castro’s condition Saturday, saying he was walking and talking again and even working a bit.
Juventud Rebelde also published four photographs of Castro, giving the first view of the leader since July 26, when he gave two speeches in eastern Cuba. He looked a bit tired but sat up straight, his eyes alert.
One photograph showed him in a chair sitting in front of a bed with a white spread in what appears to be a home. He holds up a special supplement of Granma, which was published Saturday as an homage to him.
The photos were credited to Estudios Revolucion, a division of Castro’s personal support group that collects historic documents and images.
“What happiness I received!” exulted an elderly Margot Gomez after seeing the newspaper during a morning walk in Havana. “Long live Fidel, and long live the revolution! He knows what to do to convert setbacks into victories!”
