CARACAS, VENEZUELA — President Hugo Chavez said today that Cuba’s ailing former president is alive and active — dismissing rumors Fidel Castro is gravely ill or dead.
Concerns over Castro’s health have grown since he sent a terse a one-line message to the Cuban people on his revolution’s 50th anniversary Jan. 1, and his friend Chavez said last week that it is unlikely Castro will be seen in public again.
But Chavez said in a speech to supporters that Castro had written to him “just a little while ago.”
“Sure, there are once again some rumors that Fidel died,” Chavez said, but he described Castro’s state with a slang term that translates roughly as “alive and kicking.” The comments reinforced remarks Friday, when Chavez said Castro was working, writing and staying on top of world affairs.
The 82-year-old Castro has not appeared in public since undergoing intestinal surgery in July 2006. He ceded power to his younger brother, Raul, shortly after.
