Posted on 08/26/2007 12:43:19 PM PDT by wagglebee
Fidel Castro signed a lengthy essay published Sunday saluting a Cuban political figure but giving no hint of how he is feeling, even amid rampant rumors of his death.
The 81-year-old Castro has not been seen in public in over a year and has not even appeared in official photographs or video footage since taping an interview with Cuban state television June 5.
The lack of images has fueled speculation among the Cuban exile community in Miami and elsewhere that Castro might have died. He announced on July 31, 2006 that he had undergone emergency intestinal surgery and was temporarily ceding power to his younger brother Raul.
Officials in Havana have refused to speak about Castro's condition, but foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque told reporters in Brazil last week that "Fidel is doing very well and is disciplined in his recovery process." He insisted the gray-bearded leader maintains "permanent" contact with top government officials.
Castro's essay, the latest in dozens of "Reflections of the Commander in Chief" columns he has published several times a week since late March, was signed Saturday evening and appeared in the Communist Youth newspaper Juventud Rebelde on Sunday.
Verbose but clearly stated and easy to follow, Castro wrote of Eduardo Chibas, the president of Cuba's Orthodox Party, who was born 100 years ago this month. Chibas campaigned against corruption that plagued Cuba's government before Castro and his band of rebels toppled dictator Fulgencio Batista in January 1959.
Castro listed political events that linked his younger years with Chibas, who shot himself during a radio broadcast in 1951, a year before Batista seized power in a coup. At Chibas' funeral, a young Castro jumped atop the grave to denounce the government.
"With Chibas alive there would have been no way for (Batista) to carry out a coup," Castro wrote, "because the founder of the Cuban People (Orthodox) Party watched him closely and methodically put him up for public scrutiny."
There was no hint of trouble over the weekend in Havana, where the streets have been calm and Cuban flags remained at full-mast. Official media was dominated by stories of Cuban officials' preparation for the new school year and news from Venezuela and Iraq.
Rumors of Castro's death are a staple in Miami. But their frequency has intensified in recent days, after his 81st birthday came and went Aug. 13 with neither pictures, letters nor recordings from him released by the government.
Speculation went into overdrive Friday when Miami officials met to go over their plans for when Castro dies. Even celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, a Cuban-American who normally deals with Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, jumped into the fray, writing that sources were saying the Miami police were poised to announce Castro's death.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez addressed speculation about the health of his close friend and ally on Saturday, saying "I'm not going to be clearing up rumors and more rumors every day. Every little while they say Fidel died."
Who in Cuba would dare question Castro’s “signature”?
Raoul could have forged it with an “X” and no one would bat an eyelash, if they know what’s good for ‘em.
IOW, he follows the same regimine every day and does everything the doctors tell him. HA! Doctors don't tell a corpse very much and it is very easy to just lie there on ice.
“If the best the commies can come up with is a signature on an essay, it’s pretty clear that Castro is dead.”
Yup, I have to agree
“IOW, he follows the same regimine every day and does everything the doctors tell him.”
Not only that, but the doctors in Cuba are the best in the Universe and can keep Fidel alive and vigorous forever.
That's what the expert, Michael Moore, keeps telling us...
In other news Castro hit five holes in one with golfing partner Kim Jong Il.
The writers probably don't know the old guy is dead and keep pumping them out. Saying, "You know Jose, I think we are getting so much better at this. El Comandante doesn't make as many changes as he used to."
But, since these commies - who can't admit that justice and democracy has been dead on the Cuban island Gulag for the last 38 years, or that Communism has been a dead economic system since its birth - will not say EL MAXIMO LIDER is dead.... are we to believe that he therefore alive?
My gut tells me we should be discussing how long has he been dead, how long before the commies tell the world and how long before his victims get to spit on his grave.
I agree...and there was a short video of him walking on local tv...without knowing when it was actually shot...I’d say he is dead....A report from an insider in the regime reported on August 13th and stated he had fatal septicemia. When I went back to the report...it had been changed up...
He’s probably banked several of these “essays” as time has gone on...they are his, because no one could be so demented.
Great pic!
But shouldn’t we also have a photo of Dan Rather on his coffin? He was Dan’s hero.
Ask Jimmy Carter if he is channeling Castro’s spirit.
I found that point intriguing. The geriatric leadership in Cuba has more to fear from Young Turks in its own organization than dissidents or Cuban exiles. That's why a crackdown on dissidents wouldn't precede an announcement. Instead, they'd be looking to see who makes moves to seize power from within.
There’s not any one place. I just happen to pick up pieces here and there. Folks don’t seem to really read what’s there...it takes time but one can find nuggets through patience as one searches/reads. And most of it I have to translate.
Another thought, places I’ve found this info...I don’t even think they realize what they’ve got...and they are Cuban American.
True, but Mickie Moore, el Gordissimo (spanish for the supremely fat one), "forgot" to say that Castro had an army of private doctors flown in from Europe.
Oh, and I think Castro is still dead! Here's the tender moment as Death came for Castro:
_
‘E’s only pinin’ for the fjords!
I have champagne chilling for the occasion. :-)
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