Posted on 08/06/2006 4:50:52 AM PDT by COUNTrecount
SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Cuban authorities have told the Brazilian government that Cuban leader Fidel Castro has a malignant stomach tumor and may be unable to return to full power, a Brazilian newspaper reported on Saturday. Folha de S.Paulo said Brazilian officials had been told that Castro's illness marked the start of an irreversible transfer of power on the Communist-ruled island.
Folha said Cuban authorities informed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and members of the ruling Workers' Party about the malignant stomach tumor this week. His condition was worse than has been publicly admitted, according to Folha.
"It looks like we will lose our friend," it quoted Lula as telling an aide.
It gave no source but the report was written by a respected journalist. Brazilian officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Castro, 79, relinquished power temporarily last Monday to his younger brother, Raul, after intestinal surgery. ADVERTISEMENT
Few details of his state of health have emerged, triggering uncertainty about Cuba's future and speculation that his 47-year-old rule over Cuba could be drawing to a close.
Cuban Cabinet ministers have said the Fidel Castro was recovering.
But Folha said the Brazilian authorities had been informed that even if Castro recovered, he might not be able to assume full power again.
Lula had instructed his team to be discreet, it said. He told friends Castro was a strong man who has been a friend in "difficult hours." He hoped for his recovery.
The two men are old friends and the Workers' Party has longstanding ties to Cuba, although Lula has moved the party away from its leftist roots and toward the political center.
Lula has visited Cuba several times, most recently as president in 2003.
I know this sounds self-centered, but I hope this means we can soon travel to a free Havana for gambling, cigars, and bikini beaches.
Yeah, I'm thinking maybe we should tone it down a little. We aren't democrats.
U.S. doctors/hospitals ought to offer to treat Mr. Castro. Best thing would be for him to accept offer demonstrating pathetic inadequacy of socialized health care.
Well, perhaps it's a result of you not being able to see the difference between wishing for the deaths of innocents who have done absolutely nothing and a despot who is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands. Why is it you can't see that?
Castro seems to have had a Malignant Tumor in his head for about 47 Years.
Well, BOO-FREAKIN'-HOO !!!
LMAO!
You got that right, he is a cancer on humanity.
The smokers will be along soon to tell you how bogus this report is, get ready.
I hope he dies a slow, lingering, extremely painful death as cancer slowly eats his stomach and intestines, and he regurgitates his own bowel movements at least 10 times a day. It's fitting that he chokes on and tastes his own crap for the rest of his days. May they be long.
That's hard news, grievous hard.
I am somewht disturbed at the general wish of malevolence on this thread. His death certainly is just, and he certainly must face the judgment on his murderous ways and the way he has ruined the lives of mny cuban citizens. But to wish pain and suffering, while ultimately appeals to our imperfect side is an affront to God. When we wish pain and suffering on anyone, we cheapen our voice in the debate. Shame on those who wish for his pain and suffering!
Interesting....
We know it can't be heart disease because he has none.
They'd sleep through it like they did at Reagan's.
You may be right about "a year at most". However, given his sgo and his penchant for making all big announcements himself in 6 hour speaches, I suspect the overwhelming majority of that year has already passed. He's too ill to have made a pageant out of handing over power to his brother and he is too arrogant to have allowed the transition until he was incapacitated.
As other have posted, I believe he may have already checked out and they are waiting for his 80th birthday to make the news public.
When we wish pain and suffering on anyone, we cheapen our voice in the debate.
I always was a cheap date, I don't want to wish pain and suffering on him, I wish to inflict pain and suffering on him.
AAaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrggggghhh!
What's going on back there?
Just probing his wound,sir.
Oh ok, Carry on.
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