Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Castro Surfaces—Or Does He?

Dictator's byline doesn't put lid on rumors of his death

By Max Brallier,  Newser User

Posted Aug 27, 2007 11:06 AM CDT

(Newser) – A newspaper article purportedly written by Fidel Castro and published yesterday did little to quash rumors that the Cuban dictator's health is failing and even that he's dead. Castro hasn't been seen in public in over a year, and his brother Raul is in effective control of the government, but Cuban officials insist he's doing well, Reuters reports.

Speculation about Castro's health mounted when his 81st birthday passed unobserved on August 13 and hit a fever pitch late last week, when Miami TV stations reported rumors of his death, the Guardian reports. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has joined in the refutation of the rumors; he said Saturday that Castro "will never die," CBS 4 in Miami reports.

A young girl takes a break next to a mural depicting Cuba's leader Fidel Castro and Revolutionary hero Ernesto Che Guevara during the celebrations of Castro's 81th birthday at the Ernesto Che Guevara Palace of Pioneers on the outskirts of Havana, Monday, Aug. 13, 2007. Ailing leader Fidel Castro turned...
A young girl takes a break next to a mural depicting Cuba's leader Fidel Castro and Revolutionary hero Ernesto "Che" Guevara during the celebrations of Castro's 81th birthday at the Ernesto "Che" Guevara...   (Associated Press)
Cuban president Fidel Castro is showed, for the first time after...
Cuban president Fidel Castro is showed, for the first time after...   (Getty Images (by Event))
(FILE) Cuban President Fidel Castro applauds during the presentation...
(FILE) Cuban President Fidel Castro applauds during the presentation...   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Still Kicking: Chavez, Castro on Cuban TV

Castro Sister: I Worked With CIA

Fidel Spotted Strolling Around Havana

Medvedev Gets Cozy With Castro

Chavez: US Confrontation 'Inevitable'


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne