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Communist Youth Paper Shows Castro Photos

Cuban President Fidel Castro, who has been in power since 1959 and for the first time two weeks ago handed over power to his brother Raul, has reportedly told a Communist Youth newspaper on the island that he felt happy on his 80th birthday, August 13. The article was accompanied by four photographs of ?El Presidente? in the newspaper which are the first pictures released of the dictator since he became ill. It was reported that the cause of the illness was Mr. Castro?s ageing and a busy schedule that had seen him do a lot of traveling.

In the birthday article on Sunday, Mr. Castro said, ?For all those who case about my health, I promise to fight for it. To the people of Cuba, infinite gratitude for your loving support. The country is marching on and will continue marching on perfectly well.? Castro?s ill health was met with spontaneous celebrations in south Florida once the news was released that he had handed over power, Florida has a high concentration of descendants of Cubans and Cuban refugees fleeing the autocratic rule of Fidel Castro.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, a left-leaning firebrand who is constantly mocking the United States, has announced his intention to pay a visit to the ailing Cuban leader, whom he regards as a close friend and ally in the fight against what Chavez has termed ?the American Empire?. Not long before his illness, Mr. Castro himself had poked fun at the USA, telling Americans not to worry because he did not plan on being in power at age 100.