Reanimation

The Cuban government appears to be ready to reanimate Fidel Castro. Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales of Bolivia, Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and even Elian Gonzalez, the victim of Janet Reno's version of justice have all weighed in wishing the dictator speedy recovery and saying he's doing just super.

Cuban officials have provided no details and released no pictures of Castro since his surgery was announced last Monday — fueling speculation around the world about his condition. Raul Castro, the defense minister, also has not been seen in public since the announcement.

"How are you, Fidel?" Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said during his weekly TV and radio program, suggesting he believed the Cuban leader was watching. "We have reliable information of your quick and notable recuperation."

"Fidel Castro, a hug for you, friend and comrade, and I know you are getting better," Chavez said.

Talking by phone with Bolivian President Evo Morales later during the program, Chavez said that Castro was bouncing back quickly.

"This morning I learned that he's very well, that he is already getting out of bed, he's talking more than he should — because he talks a lot, you know. He has sent us greetings," Chavez said.

Morales said he was glad to learn of Castro's recovery, and "what's left is for him to be incorporated into the battle of his country" again. Saying Castro was like an "older brother," Morales added, "We hope to see our friend Fidel soon."

Before Castro fell ill, Morales had promised to travel to Havana for Castro's 80th birthday on Aug. 13 and bring him a cake made from the flour of coca leaves.

Former Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega arrived in Havana from Nicaragua late Saturday and said: "I am sure that we will soon have Fidel resuming his functions and leading his people."

Elian Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of a dramatic international custody battle six years ago between his relatives in Miami, Fla. and his father in 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," Elian Gonzalez, now 12, wrote to Castro along with his half-siblings and cousins. The letter was published Sunday in the Communist Youth newspaper Juventud Rebelde.

Morales, a leftist elected in December as Bolivia's first Indian president, said his government would send a high-level mission to Havana in the coming days, according to his spokesman Alex Contreras.

A major publicity blitz on behalf of an evil, evil man. One hopes they are blowing smoke, but it is looking likely that the monster may not yet be dead. About the only one we haven't heard from in this leftist onslaught is Chavez sycophant Cindy Sheehan. It's still early, though.

The Telegraph has what it purports to be the inside scoop on the surgery Castro underwent. It may or may not be true, or may be more misinformation leaked by Cuba.

The 79-year-old president is understood to have undergone surgery on Saturday at Cimeq before being wheeled back from the operating theatre to the floor reserved for him and his 75-year-old brother, Raúl. The facility is in the district of Siboney, home to Cuba's most prestigious scientific research complex and near Gen Castro's official residence in a tightly guarded military zone.

The Cuban leader received treatment on a par with the best in the world. But most Cubans, reliant on the supposedly universal health system, have to pay for even basic drugs such as aspirin and the equivalent of £30 for "extras" such as X-rays.

Gen Castro's handover of power to Raúl, albeit temporary, was disclosed to a stunned nation two nights later as they gathered around flickering television sets. In Washington and Miami, Gen Castro's long-time foes urged the Cuban people to push for democratic change. Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, said in a broadcast beamed to the island: "Much is changing there… We will stand with you to secure your rights."