Even Cubans Notice

There is something very wrong about the entire situation with Fidel Castro. Even Cubans on the street and anonymous (for rather obvious reasons) Cuban surgeons are saying that there is something off about reports on Castro's condition.

Castro's careful crafted image of invincibility since sweeping to power in a 1959 revolution and entering into battle with the United States has been broken by two government broadcast videos showing him vulnerable and ailing at age 80.

"Fidel looked much better, more animated and stronger, but at the same time it appears he has quite a ways to go before being completely well," a man named Jorge said as he sold produce at a Havana market. He, like others interviewed, asked that his full name not be used.

Communist authorities on Friday broadcast a seven-minute video of Castro receiving friend and ally Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president who stopped briefly in Havana on his return from a foreign tour.

"It makes me sad every time I see him in his sickbed. For me he has been a guide, always leading the way, and to see him like that, even if he is better, fills me with sorrow," said Antonio, a retiree.

The Cuban leader handed over power for the first time in 47 years to his younger brother, Defense Minister Raul Castro, on July 31.

Castro appeared much stronger than when he was last seen in a video on August 13, when Chavez visited him to celebrate his 80th birthday. Then, a frailer-looking Castro was shown only in bed covered by a blanket.

Friday's video showed a pleased but gaunt Castro resting on a bed in red pajamas giving Chavez a big hug and kissing and talking briefly with the Venezuelan leader's daughter and granddaughter.

The clip then cut to Castro and Chavez at a small table engaged in animated conversation and writing brief notes of praise to each other.

Photographs published Saturday by the official press showed Castro was sitting on his bed at the time, with the table alongside and Chavez in a chair.

MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS

What exactly ails the legendary rebel is considered a state secret and acting President Raul Castro has remained largely out of public view.

"He looks better, but honestly for a month after surgery and even at 80 years old, something very bad must have happened to the Comandante," a Cuban surgeon said.

"If he just had an ulcer, or some other not too serious condition, he would be up and around by now, running things on the phone," he said on condition of anonymity.

I have seen a number of very sick people through the years. In general, those that get better are up and around pretty quickly. If over a month after his surgery, this is the best he can do, he is not recovering well, if at all.