Report: Castro Has Terminal Cancer
U.S. Officials Believe Cuban Leader Will Not Return To Power
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Last month, Cuban President Fidel Castro said in a statement that he has lost more than 41 pounds since he had intestinal surgery. (AP (file))
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Fidel Castro And Cuba
Find out more about the communist country and the fiery leader who led the Cuban Revolution.
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Castro Turns 80
The ailing leader has low-key 80th birthday celebration while the rest of Cuba honors their president.
However, the officials said the intelligence reports on the ailing, 80-year-old Cuban president are not definitive.
Last month, Castro said in a statement that he has lost more than 41 pounds since he had intestinal surgery but added that the "most critical moment" was behind him.
The statement was accompanied by 10 photographs of Castro during his convalescence, in all of them sitting up and wearing either short-sleeved navy blue or light-blue pajamas. In several he is reading or writing.
Most of the pictures showed the leader from the waist up, although one shows his whole body as he sits in a rocking chair with slippers on his feet, reading what looks to be a newspaper.
The Cuban leader announced on July 31 that he was stepping aside as president to recover from the operation. It remains unclear when he had the surgery.
He said he was temporarily turning over power to his 75-year-old brother Raul, the defense minister. It was the first time in 47 years of rule that Castro had stepped aside, even temporarily.
In the weeks since, the nature of his surgery and his specific ailment have been treated as a state secret.
"All of us must understand that it is not convenient to systematically offer information, nor give out images of my health situation," Castro added. "All of us must also understand realistically that the complete recovery time, whether we like it or not, will be prolonged.
"At this moment I am not in a hurry, and no one should be in a hurry. The country is marching and moving ahead," he said.
©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.



John, Ireland
WHen he goes his brother age 75 will take over, he's likely as screwy as Castro is.
He reminded America it wasn%u2019t the only country with influence in the Americas.
One thing is for cretin one year after Castro%u2019s death Cuba will be flooded with American investment dollars and Cuba will become the Los Vegas of the Caribbean. There is something charismatic about Cuba the rest of the Caribbean doesn%u2019t have, I can%u2019t explain it but I experienced it every time I visited Cuba.
I guess the mofia will be back down there to claim their prior holdings.
If I was Castro I would mail the chimp a pint of P#SS. Put a label on it "fresh from the fountain of youth".
www.politipoll.net
And leaves from the Earth real quick //
I'll puff on my tuba //
Libre' For All Cuba //
Well placed by Lucifer's pick//
You are correct.
bragova!!!
I would like to know why you think Americans are so 'nasty'? Give examples please....and AMERICANS will be able to come up with millions of our caring. We have given more than any other country and get nothing but grief in return because other countries are jealous-but they won't follow our lead and want AMERICA to be perfect and when we fail---that's our humanity---they want to destroy us.
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by
October 8, 2006 8:00 PM PDT
- Even if I don't necesary agree with imposed President Fidel Castro and his inhuman way that got him to power, I sincerely wish him the best and may God have mercy on his soul. Time is the best judge, I think time has taken its toll. I wish the best to our Cuban brothers and the Blessing of god all mighty.
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