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Castro Relqenquishes Power During Surgery

Cuban leader Fidel Castro blames stress for an "intestinal crisis" that required him to undergo surgery, and temporarily relinquish power to his brother Raul Castro on Monday night. According to a letter read on live television by his secretary, Carlos Valenciaga, Castro suffered gastrointestinal bleeding due to stress from public appearances in Argentina and Cuba. He recently poked fun at the United States, telling America not to worry because he doesn`t plan to be in power at age 100.

The letter says, "The operation obligates me to undertake several weeks of rest." It adds that extreme stress, "had provoked in me a sharp intestinal crisis with sustained bleeding that obligated me to undergo a complicated surgical procedure." Castro has requested that his 80th birthday celebrations on Aug. 13 be postponed until Dec. 2, which is the 50th anniversary of Cuba`s Revolutionary Armed Forces.

The Cuban president says he is handing over power to his planned successor, Raul Castro, who is 75. He says the transfer is of "a provisional character." Castro said he will also temporarily hand over his responsibilities as first secretary of the Communist Party to his younger brother, who also serves as defense minister. The U.S. some weeks ago announced plans to aid a transition to democracy in Cuba after Fidel Castro dies.