Castro falls, possibly breaking leg

CNN ^ | October 21, 2004 | CNN Havana Bureau Chief Lucia Newman

[Cincinatus' Wife]

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- President Fidel Castro fell, possibly breaking his leg, after giving a graduation speech Wednesday in the central Cuban city of Santa Clara.

Sending a buzz through the crowd, the 78-year-old leader appeared to trip as he was walking away from the podium.

In an effort to calm the crowd, Castro took the microphone after a few minutes, saying: "Just so that there won't be any speculation, it seems that I broke my knee." He apologized for any concerns he may have caused for those who care about him and then joked how his spill was likely to make headlines in the international media.

Looking shaken, the Cuban leader of 45 years was taken to the hospital where he said he would probably get a cast, promising to get back to normal as soon as possible.

.....Castro's state of health is considered a state secret and is not discussed by the government.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Good old CNN reporting from their news bureau in Havana and AP catching the spill. They never report stories of the oppression in Cuba or send out photos. That's why they're allowed to stay as propagandists for Castro.

SO he just broke his knee and fell over.

Security men and others reach down to assist Castro after his fall.

[Crazieman]

Too bad he didn't break his neck

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Fidel Castro - Cuba

[ALASKA]

If he broke his hip, his days are statistically numbered. Something like 75% of those elderly people who break a hip, die within a year......

[West Coast Conservative]

Good.

[AbramsGunnerE5]

I've Fallen! .... and... I CAN'T GET UP!

[Mo1]

Just so that there won't be any speculation, it seems that I broke my knee."

I've heard Knee injuries are extremely painful ..

[endthematrix]

It is widely known a CIA operative squirted oil on the floor...with the help of the mafia.

[ambrose]

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[oolatec]

How long until Castro and the DU claim this was a failed assassination attempt... ;)

[Thinkin' Gal]

Castro falls, possibly breaking leg

So he put on a good performance then?

Castro takes tumble.
It was a major bumble.
Time to celebrate.

[Woogit]

It will be interesting to see how skerry spins this to be President Bush's fault!

[Bon mots]

Where do we send the cards?
Where can I buy a card that says, "Drop dead you old commie b@st@rd!"?

[piasa]

I've Fallen! .... and... I CAN'T GET UP!

He's Fallen! .... and Cuba is wishing HE WON'T GET UP!

[BigSkyFreeper]

I hope it was a hard fall.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

"Mien Fuher, I can walk!"

[piasa]

... and, just barely audible, we hear the music of a tiny violin ...

[Anti-Christ is Hillary]

I was just about to say just that.

[peyton randolph]

It will be interesting to see how skerry spins this to be President Bush's fault!

The failure to fully recover will be blamed on the embargo and no flu vaccine. /semi-sarcasm. Dimwits promote the absurd.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]