Free Republic

Fidel Castro's failure to meet visiting dignitaries or publish his regular newspaper column has fuelled speculation that his health has deteriorated dramatically. The former president, 82, has not appeared on TV or in print in recent weeks despite expectations that he would participate in the celebrations for the Cuban revolution's 50th anniversary on 1 January. Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez, an ally and unofficial spokesman, fed the rumour-mill by saying Castro would not surface in public again. "That Fidel in uniform, who walked the streets and towns at daybreak, embracing the people, will not return," Chavez said on TV last Sunday....

Rumors about the death of Cuban President, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, are nothing new and have circulated many times before, but many Cuban exiles in Miami believe this one is for real. With no word from Fidel Castro on his birthday (August 13), speculation about his “departure” have increased. If Castro is not already dead, it is probably safe to say that, from a political point of view, he longer exists. Fidel transferred his presidential powers to his brother (and successor) Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz earlier this year (although this happened provisionally in July 2006), while receiving surgery to repair...