Chavez Admits Obvious

(T)Hugo Chavez "admits" Fidel Castro is in a battle for his life. The BBC makes it sound like a huge revelation, which it really shouldn't be to anyone with one or two synapses in functional condition. But, nonetheless, it is the first time the Cuban dictator's understudy has said anything that resembles a true statement about Castro since he disappeared from view. Up until now it has been one cheerful pronouncement after another.

Mr Chavez, a close friend of Cuba's left-wing leader, said he hoped Mr Castro would recover but admitted he faced a hard struggle.

Mr Castro, 80, has not been seen in public since undergoing surgery in July and handing over political power.

Mr Chavez spoke at the Latin American summit in Brazil in a rare admission of the state of Mr Castro's health.

Chavez hopeful

Venezuela's president said he spoke to the Cuban leader by telephone for half an hour several days ago.

"He is going through a difficult situation but just like he says, the machine that they have to fix is 80 years old," Mr Chavez told the Mercosur trade summit.

"I cannot give details [of his health] because I am not his doctor, and even if I was I would not give them to you.

"He's back in the Sierra Maestra and locked in a battle for his life," Mr Chavez said.

I think that last bit may be symbolic. Castro is about ready to die, if he hasn't already. They'll want to use that as a symbol - him back where the revolution started when he dies.