Posted by
Reeson on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 8:38:11 AM
If Castro dies, there will be some weakening of the Cuban government, largely because it is centered on a Stalin-like cult of personality with Fidel. But his brother, and likely successor, is even more ruthless, despite some inclinations toward Chinese-style economic reforms. Excerpts from
Yahoo News:
By MAR ROMAN, Associated Press writer 26 minutes ago
Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro has had at least three failed operations and complications from an intestinal infection and faces "a very grave prognosis," a Spanish newspaper reported Tuesday.
A Cuban diplomat in Madrid said the reports were lies and declined to comment.
The newspaper El Pais cited two unnamed sources from the Gregorio Maranon hospital in the Spanish capital of Madrid. The facility employs surgeon Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido, who flew to Cuba in December to treat the 80-year-old Castro.
In a report published on its Web site, El Pais said: "A grave infection in the large intestine, at least three failed operations and various complications have left the Cuban dictator, Fidel Castro, laid up with a very grave prognosis."
The U.S. government had speculated that Castro could suffer from cancer — a supposition denied by Sabrido. Some U.S. doctors believed Castro was suffering from diverticular disease, which can cause bleeding in the lower intestine, especially in people over 60. In severe cases, emergency surgery may be required.
A statement attributed to Castro was released on New Year's Eve saying his recovery was "far from being a lost battle."
Cuban officials told visiting U.S. lawmakers last month that Castro does not have cancer or a terminal illness and will eventually return to public life, although it was not clear whether he would return to the same kind of absolute control as before.